A man in Chile has contracted bird flu with a “worrying” mutation, US health officials say.
These mutations may have occurred after the 53-year-old hospitalized patient became ill.
But there is no evidence that the mutated virus has spread to other people, mixed with other flu viruses, or developed resistance to current drugs or vaccines.
Vivien Dugan of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the threat to humans from the virus is low.
“Nevertheless, it is important to continue to carefully monitor each case of human infection,” she added.
“We need to be vigilant about changes that could make these viruses even more dangerous for humans.”
Past animal studies suggest mutations may cause Avian Influenza Viruses are more harmful or spread more easily.
But there’s no evidence that these mutations make it easier for the virus to take hold in a person’s upper lungs — a development that raises concerns about human-to-human transmission.
Similar mutations have also been found in past bird flu infections.
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What is bird flu?
Bird flu, known as Type A H5N1, was first detected in an outbreak in Hong Kong in 1997 when tourists visiting a live bird market became infected.
Over the past two decades, more than 450 people have died from bird flu, according to the World Health Organization.
The vast majority of infected people are infected directly from birds.
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British authorities announced Bird flu protection measures will be lifted next week.
the rule is Launched on November 7 last yearmaking it a legal requirement to keep animals indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to protect flocks.
From April 18, birders will once again be allowed to keep their flocks outside, and eggs from poultry raised outside can now be labeled as “free range”.
However, birdkeepers have been urged to remain vigilant to prevent further outbreaks.
at the same time, A 56-year-old Chinese woman In recent days, he died of a bird flu that is rare in humans.
She is the third person known to be infected with the H3N8 subtype of avian influenza.