AFP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
The avian flu virus circulating around the world also affects mammals. This can be seen from the new data that Quotidiano Fidelity he saw.
In the Netherlands, a skunk, a badger and an otter have been infected with the virus in the last year and a half. According to Thijs Kuiken, a virologist at the Erasmus Medical Center, it is the tip of the iceberg.
The transfer of the avian flu virus from poultry to mammals is worrying, because it means it can also infect humans. “In the long run, this could pose a risk to humans,” explains Kuiken on NPO Radio 1. A variant could develop in mammals to which humans are more sensitive.
Wild birds
While during previous outbreaks of bird flu infections were mainly confined to poultry farms, now many wild birds are also becoming infected. This makes it difficult to keep the virus under control. Mammals become infected by eating infected birds.
“People don’t get infected by eating infected animals, they get infected by coming into contact with infected birds,” says Kuiken. He adds that this is less common in Europe than in China, for example, where chickens are sold live at the market and slaughtered there. “Also, contamination occurs.”
Vaccinate
Kuiken thinks the handful of mammals now known to be infected with bird flu are just the tip of the iceberg. “Either way, the figures show that a large number of mammals are susceptible and that infection occurs regularly,” said Trouw’s virologist.
Vaccinating poultry is one way to prevent further spread. In Europe, preparations are being made to start doing this and this is already happening in other places: “The possibility of the virus reaching people is therefore also less”.
An avian flu vaccine for humans is not yet available.
