1. What is bird flu?
Bird flu is a disease caused by infection with the bird flu virus. That’s a influenza virus, similar to the flu virus in humans. As the name suggests: it is especially contagious for birds.
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“New bird flu viruses emerge every year,” says Muriel Vervaeke of the Agency for Nature and Forests. “We always have to wait and see which mutations will appear, you never know in advance.”
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Occasionally, mutations appear that are highly contagious and very deadly to birds. An example of this is the H5N1-subtypewhich is currently distributed worldwide by migratory birds.
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The bird flu virus mainly affects birds.
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2. Which subtype is currently circulating in Belgium?
The H5N1 subytpe first appeared in Belgium at the end of last year. “We first found it in swans, ducks and birds of prey,” says Muriel Vervaeke of the Agency for Nature and Forests. “Now it is wreaking havoc on coastal birds, especially gulls.”
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Sometimes the virus can jump from birds to mammals. Some predators can get sick after eating infected birds.
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There have already been infections in seals and foxes
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“There have already been infections in seals and foxes in neighboring countries,” says Vervaeke. “That is why the Agency for Nature and Forests is also investigating dead foxes at our place. For example, the virus has already been found in two foxes: one in Knokke-Heist, the other in Kortenberg. In both cases, the H5N1 virus was found in the animal’s brains. .”
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However, H5N1 does not appear to be circulating in the fox population at this time. A fox can get sick after eating a sick bird, but it cannot subsequently infect other foxes.
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The bird flu virus does not appear to be circulating in the fox population.
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3. Can the bird flu virus also infect humans?
“The bird flu virus that is now circulating is not directly dangerous for humans,” says Muriel Vervaeke. “The H5N1 subtype does not pose a public health threat at the moment. The chance that you will be infected is very small.”
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The virus occasionally jumps from birds to humans. This only happens after very close contact with infected and dead animals or with excrement from infected animals. In the case of human infections, there is also sometimes a link with a poultry farm.
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“That is certainly no coincidence,” says Vervaeke. “In poultry farms, many birds live together in a limited area and there is direct contact with humans. Then there is always a greater risk of breeding grounds for pathogens. This can lead to new, potentially dangerous mutations.”
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If the virus jumps to humans, there is often a link to a poultry farm.
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4. Could the bird flu virus cause another pandemic?
Just because H5N1 is harmless to humans, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t worry. New mutations will certainly appear in the future. No one can predict what impact they will have on human health.
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“I don’t have a crystal ball,” says Vervaeke. “So I don’t know which mutations will emerge and whether they could cause a new pandemic. Epidemiologists do agree that bird flu viruses may also become dangerous for humans in the future.”
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“We certainly have to be vigilant,” confirms Mieke Steensels of Sciensano. “This especially applies to people who can come into contact with infected birds. We must also continue to closely monitor the strains that we find in Belgium in foxes. This way we can quickly detect new mutations.”
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The bird flu virus is currently especially dangerous for birds, but that could change in the future.
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5. What if you find a dead or sick animal?
If you find a dead or sick or fox or bird, don’t worry. As long as you do not touch the animal, there is no risk.
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“That is an important message,” says Vervaeke. “Sick and dead animals, stay away from them. If you must touch them, use disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.”
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If you’re a dead bird call the (free) influenza line: 0800 99 777. The cadaver goes to a lab, where it is examined for H5N1.
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If you’re a sick bird find it, please contact it Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers of your province. Also for a dead or sick fox can you go there.
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