Dr. Madhur Dhingra of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Tuesday that the H5N1 virus is changing and it is now spreading in wildlife.
Over the past three years, cases of its infection have been reported in 108 countries located on five continents. So far, its infection has been reported in more than 500 species of birds and at least 70 mammalian species, including polar bears and California There are also condors. According to the UN agency, the region, which is heavily dependent on poultry sources for protein, faces serious threats to food and nutrition security due to avian influenza. There is a possibility of danger. Doctor Dhingra has warned that the livelihoods of crores of people have been affected due to this virus. This increases the economic burden on farmers, and may hamper their ability to adequately invest in biosecurity measures. Following the emergence of H5N1 infections in cattle for dairy farming, the UN health agency has strengthened surveillance and biosecurity measures in farm facilities. Has urged to strengthen, so that the safety of animals and people is possible. WHO believes that this year 76 people have been infected due to H5N1, most of whom are working in farms or There are employees working in the form. Of these, more than 60 cases have been reported in America, where there is also an outbreak of H5N1 in wildlife and poultry. Apart from this, infection cases have also been confirmed in Australia, Canada, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. Risk to humans is low. Epidemic in WHO Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, managing director, said that based on the latest scientific analysis, the current risk to the general public has been assessed, and the risk is currently low. However, The risk for people working on farms and coming in contact with infected animals is low- to moderate. It also depends on adopting preventive measures. Currently, there is no evidence of changes in the H5N1 virus that would make it possible for it to spread from person to person, nor have any such cases been reported. However, they It has been cautioned that one should avoid sitting in a relaxed manner, as the situation may change rapidly. The virus is changing rapidly and one has to be prepared for any such possibility. In view of this, it has been requested to investigate in detail every case of spread of infection from one person to another. Also, it is important to drink pasteurized milk or use it after heating it.