What is a reason that the H5N1 avian flu has not yet become a major human epidemic?

This study suggests that one reason why H5N1 has not yet caused a pandemic is that two genetic mutations would need to happen to the virus at the same time in order to enable it to infect the right cells and become transmissible.

What is H5N8 strain of avian flu?

H5N8 is a subtype of the influenza A virus (sometimes called bird flu) and is highly lethal to wild birds and poultry. H5N8 is typically not associated with humans; however, seven people in Russia were found to be infected in 2021.

Why is avian flu a threat?

If HPAI Asian H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission among humans, an influenza pandemic could result, with potentially high rates of illness and death worldwide. Therefore, the HPAI H5N1 epizootic continues to pose an important public health threat.

How is the avian flu being spread today?

The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes. Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community.

Is bird flu a zoonotic disease?

This zoonotic disease is generally found in wild birds. Waterfowl such as ducks and geese are affected but do not show any symptoms. Migratory birds too are reservoirs of the virus. These birds put farmed poultry as well the people who handle them at risk.

What is the difference between H5N1 and H5N8?

Currently in India, the H5N8 strain has been detected in most of the states, and it is not known to have infected humans so far. The H5N1, which can infect humans, was detected among wild birds at the Pong Lake in Himachal, but the outbreak now appears to be contained according to the wildlife authorities.

Where did H5N8 come from?

H5N8 and H5N1 bird flu have been found in some poultry, other captive birds and wild birds in the UK. H5N6 has also been found in some wild birds in the UK but is a different strain to that seen in China.

How are zoonotic viruses spread?

In many cases, zoonotic disease, whether bacterial, viral or fungal in nature, spreads to people through contact with animals carrying the disease. It can happen when handling, petting or even getting bitten or scratched by an animal.

How does influenza spread between species?

This involves either multiple mutational or reassortant events and is believed to occur by airborne transmission. Once avian influenza viruses are established in mammals, they are transmitted from animal to animal by the respiratory airborne route.

How many have died from H5N1?

To date, the number of H5N1 WHO-confirmed human cases amounts to 628 with 374 deaths from 15 countries. Human infections tend to occur during December–March and are associated with bird migratory paths and seasonal outbreaks in poultry.

What is the H5N8 avian flu strain?

Back in November 2020, I wrote for Forbes about how an avian influenza strain, A (H5N8), was spreading among birds in Europe. Well, it appears that this strain has since made it from birds to some humans.

Where did the H5N1 virus come from?

A strain of H5N1 that killed geese in Guangdong, China in 1996 joined and has taken off, diversifying, especially since 2010. By 2013, the virus had mutated itself into H5N8 in Zhejiang, China, and then appeared in Russia and several other European countries.

How many people have been given the bird flu?

Apparently seven people in Russia have been given the bird. The bird flu, that is. And it was some fowl play. Back in November 2020, I wrote for Forbes about how an avian influenza strain, A (H5N8), was spreading among birds in Europe.

Could a virus that can only spread from birds spread to humans?

Unless a new dance craze starts where every human around the world gets paired up with a bird, the feathery kind of bird, it’s unlikely that a virus that can only spread from bird to human will have pandemic-potential. The big leap would be for a mutation to arise that would allow humans to pass the viruses along to each other.