news desk Laugh
the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Reports of the detection of influenza A (H5) virus in two poultry workers in England.
Neither of them experienced any symptoms of bird flu, and both have since tested negative.
Depending on the timing of exposure and test results, it is likely that one individual may have had nasal and/or throat contamination from inhaled materials on culture, while for the second individual the case is more difficult to determine. Further investigations are ongoing but in the meantime a precautionary contact tracing of this second person has been carried out.
The UKHSA has not detected evidence of human-to-human transmission, and these findings do not change the level of risk to human health, which remains very low for the general population.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Officer at the University of Michigan UKHSAHe said:
Current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we see circulating in birds around the world do not spread easily to humans. However, we already know that the virus can spread to people after close contact with infected birds, which is why, through screening programs like this one, we monitor exposed people to learn more about this risk.
Globally, there is no evidence of this strain spreading from person to person, but we know that viruses evolve all the time and we remain vigil for any evidence of changing risks to the population.
It remains essential that people avoid touching sick or dead birds, and that they follow the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (MEFRA)Defra) advice about reporting.
