Jakarta (ANTARA) – Professor of Molecular Biology, Airlangga University, Prof. Dr. Chairul Anwar Nidom, drh., MS said that although transmission of bird flu to humans is rare, it is still a risk so it should not be taken lightly.
“Actually, WHO also said that the incident (bird flu transmission to humans) in Cambodia is a rare event, but it can happen. That means it might still be at risk. So we cannot underestimate bird flu,” said Chairul in an online discussion monitored from Jakarta, Thursday.
However, Chairul added that the public also need not worry too much because until now there has been no incident of human-to-human bird flu transmission.
“What is there is that the virus spreads from poultry to certain people around it,” he said.
Chairul explained that this was because the attachment site or receptor for the bird flu virus was different from the receptor for the seasonal flu virus, which can be transmitted between humans.
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The bird flu virus receptor is sialic acid (SA) alpha-2,3 which is abundant in birds or poultry. While the seasonal influenza virus receptor in humans is alpha-2,6 galactose which is abundant on the surface of the cells of the upper respiratory tract organs.
According to Chairul, transmission of the bird flu virus to humans can occur if the concentration of the virus is very high. For example, when a person with poor immunity enters an area with a very high concentration of the virus, it is very possible for the virus to enter the respiratory tract.
“When (the virus) enters, then it makes adjustments to the receptors in our body, then it performs replication activities and so on,” said Chairul.
The mode of transmission, he continued, can occur through direct contact or surfaces contaminated with the virus or contaminated surfaces.
“If there is direct contact, for example with (poultry) feces or on the skin of the poultry, there is a virus then it flies, then we inhale it. If it is a contaminated surface, for example after handling a chicken, then there is a virus that sticks to the hand, so it can enter the body through nose or eyes,” Chairul explained.
Thus, Chairul said that the threat of bird flu infection in humans remains open. Thus, bird flu control must be carried out by all stakeholders.
The community itself can prevent infection with bird flu by implementing health protocols such as wearing masks, keeping a distance from live birds, maintaining a healthy body condition by consuming vitamins and herbs such as empon-empon, and carrying out flu or bird flu vaccinations when available.
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