New cases of bird flu were registered in Argentina, Jujuy is joined by 4 more districts that confirmed infections of this disease. Now in addition to migratory birds, it was identified in backyard ducks, turkeys and chickens, which are those raised in family farming. Faced with this situation, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) reinforced epidemiological surveillance controls, with the aim of preventing the spread.
For this reason, reprofile spoke with the infectious disease doctor, Hugo Pizzi who asserted that “the situation is worrying“, because “what were migratory birds, which come three times a year to our country, are now native birds and the provinces that are producers and have this poultry population are at risk“. These are: “Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe and Córdoba“.
“Here we have to worry a lot because a sick bird spends 10 days eliminating viruses, through its head or through secretions or through its plumage”. “That’s why you don’t have to touch dead birds,” explained the interviewee.
Bird flu could mutate and kill one in two people who get it
How can bird flu spread to humans?
This virus enters the body through the respiratory tract. “If the fecal matter of an infected animal is dry and goes into suspension and is inhaled, it can be contagious“Pizzi reported.
Another form of contagion can happen as a result of touching an infected bird with your hands and then putting your hands to your eyes, nose or mouth, the expert explained to this medium. “Luckily animal-human contamination is low,” he said.
What are the symptoms of bird flu
This disease begins like a common flu, “with headaches, tiredness and muscle pain, but If you don’t consult your doctor and let the flu evolve, it’s torpid, it can reach the lungs and it produces bilateral pneumonia.”assured the infectious disease doctor.
In addition, the specialist indicated that avian flu has a mortality rate higher than that of the coronavirus: “It is 80 percent more deadly than covid-19“, although “luckily there are few cases in the world that are registered, studied and published“.
Regarding the efficiency of covid-19 vaccines against this disease, Hugo Pizzi was blunt: “They absolutely do not protect us against bird flu.” Besides, clarified that any type of food that comes from an infected animal can be consumed without risk of contagion.
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