They’re cute and chirpy, but birds can also be dangerous. You may have heard about bird flu – nothing to panic about now – but bird flu, scientifically known as “avian influenza”, has long been a concern for poultry farmers.
Now, following a random incident in the United States, we need to be aware of bird flu.
A worrisome strain of avian influenza recently made headlines as it spread to cattle and even one person across farms in six states in America. This marked the first widespread outbreak of bird flu in cows. The concern is that humans often mingle with cattle on farms, which creates some opportunity for the virus to jump to people.
The good news is that the overall risk to humans remains low for now.
The even better news is that scientists and medical experts are working hard to evaluate how effective certain vaccines and antiviral drugs are in helping to manage the strain. They're also updating diagnostic tools to quickly identify infections in people. The big question is whether the cows caught the virus from birds or another source, and if there are any changes that could heighten the risk to humans.
This viral infection, primarily affecting birds, occasionally spills over into humans, sparking fears of potential pandemics.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.