FROM BIRDS TO ANIMALS ON LAND, SEA: WHAT’S DRIVING THE DEADLY STRAIN OF H5N1?

Why in the news?

H5N1 avian flu outbreak spreads globally, affecting diverse animal species, potentially linked to climate change, threatening ecosystems.

source:researchgate

About the Spread and Impact of H5N1 flu:

  • The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been devastating various animal populations worldwide since 2020.
  • Initially affecting wild birds, it has now been detected in domestic animals like dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas, and goats in Minnesota.
  • The virus has also afflicted marine mammals, with thousands of sea lions and other species succumbing to the infection, particularly along the coasts of North and South America.
What is Bird flu, or Avian Influenza (AI)?

●  Bird flu, or Avian Influenza (AI), ranges from mild to severe illness in birds and can infect humans.

●  It’s caused by influenza A virus, with subtypes H5, H7, and H9.

●  H5 and H7 are the most deadly subtypes; H9 is less dangerous.

●  Outbreaks in Asia often involve the H5N1 virus, causing severe human infections.

●  Transmission is mainly bird-to-bird, but human infection is possible through direct contact.

●  There’s no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

What is H5N1 Avian Influenza?

●  Bird flu, or Avian Influenza (A1), ranges from mild to severe illness and can infect humans.

●  Caused by influenza A virus, with subtypes H5, H7, and H9.

●  H5 and H7 subtypes are the most deadly; H9 is less dangerous.

●  Outbreaks in Asia are often caused by A/H5N1 virus, severe in both birds and humans.

●  Mainly transmitted from birds to humans, with limited human-to-human transmission.