Amidst the ongoing pandemic situation, India has reported its first case of human death due to bird flu. This is caused due to strain of the influenza virus which usually affects birds. The 11-year-old victim was admitted to AIIMS on July 2. His close contacts are being traced now. The victim showed symptoms of High Fever and cough. These symptoms are similar to Covid 19, but the test results showed negative. After further investigation, it showed that the boy was suffering from the influenza virus of bird origin. The boy was also suffering from leukemia and pneumonia.
More Fatal than Covid
Doctors and Nurses who have treated the patient are advised to be isolated. They are requested to report any kind of symptoms to avoid further consequences. Meanwhile, people must stay away from infected birds and be alert to a sudden large number of bird deaths. Also, the mortality rate of bird flu is 60% while the mortality rate of Covid 19 is 3%.
But, AIIMS chief Dr. Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said that there is no reason to panic. He also mentioned that human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus is very rare. Meanwhile, people working in Poultry must take precautionary measures. Proper hygiene must be maintained to avoid further consequences. For everyone who is confused about eating poultry, there is no need to worry about that. If one is eating properly cooked poultry products, there is no effect. There hasn’t been any evidence so far about getting infected from properly cooked food.
What is Bird Flu?
It’s a strain of the influenza virus that normally affects birds. But in some cases, it affects humans too. If one comes in contact with this flu, the symptoms appear within 2 to 8 days. It might appear like common flu. The symptoms are cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath.
How do humans get affected?
- Direct contact: If humans touch the infected bird and then touch their nose, eyes, and mouth.
- Contaminated Surface: If there’s virus-loaded bird dropping on the surface, and there is direct contact with it.
- Air: If there are viruses in air droplets that are due to a bird flapping its wings or through any other way. If a person inhales these droplets, there are chances for him to get infected.
Also Read, First Death due to Monkey B Virus in China.
