2023-06-19 05:01:25
Human infection with the avian influenza virus can cause illness ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to more severe illness.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), avian influenza is not present in poultry populations in the European Union and the European Economic Area. The CEPCM considers that the risk of transmission to the general public is “very weak”.
However, the UK has detected two cases of the virus in workers in the poultry industry.
France has just set up a prevention campaign aimed at vaccinating poultry. It should begin in October, while breeders are pleading for vaccination in the summer. But the Ministry of Agriculture says it takes time to ensure safe testing, production and storage of vaccines.
The concern of poultry farmers is undoubtedly explained by recent history: during previous epizootics in 2022-2023 in France, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, six million birds were slaughtered. In 2021-2022, this figure was 22 million.
Two vaccines tested in France have already proven to be very effective for ducks reared for the production of foie gras. A good thing for the sector which survived a serious crisis.
Between August 1, 2022 and June 7, 2023, 400 outbreaks of avian flu were identified in birds in France, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. In May 2023, the virus was reported in the departments of Gers, Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques in southwestern France.
A total of 85 farms were infected. Today, according to Marc Fesneau, French Minister of Agriculture, the peak of incidence has passed. The risk of the virus spreading on French territory has been reduced from “pupil” To “moderate”.
What you need to know about bird flu
Avian influenza is an acute infectious disease of domestic and wild birds that was discovered over 140 years ago. It is characterized by damage to the digestive and respiratory organs of birds and has a high mortality rate.
Avian influenza can be transmitted from animals to humans in two main ways: directly from birds or from a contaminated environment; or by an intermediate host, such as the pig.
People in close contact with infected birds and animals, such as agricultural workers, are at risk of contracting bird flu. Laboratory tests are needed to diagnose human infection with avian influenza.
Bird flu symptoms in humans
Human infection with the avian influenza virus can cause illness ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to more severe illness, which can lead to death. Cases of conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cases of encephalitis and encephalopathy (decreased blood flow or oxygen to the brain) have also been reported.
So far, there is no indication that bird flu could mutate into a form that can be transmitted from person to person.
Should Europeans be worried?
Europe has experienced a significant presence of avian influenza in recent years. Outbreaks have been recorded in poultry, wild birds and mammals in 24 countries.
Outbreaks in wild and domestic birds continued to be reported until May 2023. In March and April, the incidence of avian influenza in poultry decreased compared to the previous period (December to February). However, black-headed gulls are still heavily affected.
The virus continues to spread in the Americas and is even expected to reach Antarctica in the near future. Cases of bird flu have also been reported in cats in the United States and one in a dog in Canada.
The risk for the population in Europe remains low, and increases from low to moderate for workers and people who come into contact with potentially infected, sick or dead birds and mammals.
These are the main conclusions of the latest avian influenza report established by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), ECDC and the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL).
In March 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) launched the Bird Flu Radar project. This is an early warning system for bird flu outbreaks.
WHO watches over public health
Countries around the world provide the World Health Organization with information on confirmed emergency public health events or cases of avian influenza.
In this farm, the poultry was infected. Illness among farm workers was asymptomatic. All farm workers and their contacts have been identified. None of these symptoms and no signs of secondary transmission have been identified to date.
The UK health security agency has found no evidence of the virus passing from person to person. WHO experts have also concluded that signs of human-to-human transmission of the virus have yet to be identified in this outbreak.
WHO recommendations
The nature of the flu is constantly changing. Given the large-scale circulation of the virus in birds, WHO stresses the importance of maintaining global surveillance.
It recommends that all people working with poultry or wild birds be vaccinated against seasonal flu to reduce the theoretical risk of mixing with wild birds.
Travelers to countries where outbreaks of zoonotic influenza have been reported should refrain from visiting farms and avoid contact with animals in markets where live animals are sold. They should avoid going to places where animals are slaughtered and touching surfaces visibly contaminated with animal faeces.
General precautions include regular hand washing, good hygiene and ensuring food safety.
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