(JustPatriots.com)- More and more instances of avian influenza in animals, including humans, have emerged, raising concerns that the virus might mutate and become more dangerous to people as it has already infected more than 58 million domestic fowl and 6,000 wild birds in the United States.
Even though there have been a few confirmed cases of bird flu in people, the WHO has cautioned that public health professionals should be on guard for potential pandemics.
One of the most significant bird flu outbreaks in history is being monitored and managed by health experts, and there are signs that the virus is spreading to mammals, including people.
While human infections are uncommon now, specialists warn that all it takes is a single favorable mutation to disseminate the virus widely across the human population.
Health officials are concerned after two cases of suspected mammalian transmission.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the avian flu killed approximately 150 seals in Maine during June and July. Health experts believe the huge number of dead seals and their closeness to one other implies mammal-to-mammal transmission; however, it is conceivable the seals ate sick birds.
A second outbreak on a Spanish mink farm indicates the virus may have adapted to animal transmission. When minks started exhibiting symptoms of infection, including anorexia, hypersalivation, sadness, a bloody nose, and tremors, researchers were brought in to investigate.
Swabbing two diseased animals confirmed the remainder of the afflicted minks had avian flu. Minks started dying a few days after showing signs, although the precise number of affected animals is unknown.
Almost 51,000 minks were slaughtered to stop the epidemic in its tracks. Minks, after an autopsy, were discovered with pneumonia in their lungs. Health professionals, who think a mink’s respiratory system is more similar to that of a person than a bird, were also alarmed by this discovery.
Hopefully, the virus will not jump any more barriers.
