First human case of H9N2 bird flu in Europe... Should we start worrying?
Italian health authorities have announced the first human case of H9N2 bird flu in Europe, after the case was diagnosed on March 25. According to a report on ScienceAlert, citing The Conversation, the patient is a child who contracted the virus outside of Europe before returning to the north of the country. The child reportedly has pre-existing health conditions and was hospitalized despite not exhibiting severe symptoms. The data indicates that the H9N2 virus belongs to the influenza A viruses, the same family that includes seasonal viruses that infect humans, but it is classified as a low-virulence virus, meaning that it often causes mild symptoms, especially in humans. The results also showed that transmission of this virus to humans is rare and occurs mostly through direct contact with poultry in contaminated environments. Hundreds of cases have been recorded previously, mostly in Asia and Africa, without it becoming a widespread threat.
Current risk level
So far, estimates confirm that the risk of the virus spreading among humans is very low, because the virus is still not well adapted to the human body and needs genetic mutations in order to spread easily. Health authorities are working to trace contacts to ensure that no further transmission occurs, which is a standard precautionary measure in such cases.
Despite the limited risk, experts point out that the emergence of such cases underscores the importance of monitoring avian influenza viruses. Other strains, such as H5N1, are more dangerous and have demonstrated a greater ability to infect mammals . In conclusion, the case reported in Italy does not pose an immediate threat, but it highlights the evolving nature of animal viruses. While the risk remains low for now, continued scientific vigilance is essential to avoid any unforeseen developments.
0 Comments