The risk of bird flu (H5N1) making the transition to humans is low, but it must be monitored, the World Health Organization (WHO) says, reports Reuters.
H5N1 has spread to poultry and wild birds for the past 25 years, but recent information shows that this infection has also been detected in mink, otters, sea lions, which “must be closely monitored”, says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the Director General of the WHO.
The good news is that the risk to humans is low. Since 1996, when this strain of influenza was isolated, few human cases have been reported.
However, the WHO director-general says it is impossible to know whether the virus is changing and “we have to prepare for any change”.
This is the reason why the director-general of the WHO recommends not to touch sick or dead wild animals and to notify the authorities of such cases so that the situation can be monitored.
“WHO also continues to cooperate with manufacturers to ensure that, if needed, vaccines and antivirals will be provided for global use,” said the WHO director.
