Recent outbreaks of H5N1 influenza in mammals – commonly known as bird flu – should be monitored, but the risk to humans remains low, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
H5N1 has been circulating among poultry and wild birds for 25 years, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in a virtual briefing, but new reports of infections in mink, otters and seals “need to be closely monitored”.
He said the risk to humans remains low, as human cases have been rare since the flu strain emerged in 1996.
“But we cannot assume that this will continue to happen and we must prepare for a change in the status quo,” Tedros said.
He said people are advised not to touch dead or sick wild animals and to report them to local and national authorities, who are monitoring the situation.
The WHO also recommends strengthening surveillance in settings where humans and animals interact, he said.
“WHO also continues to engage with manufacturers to ensure that, if necessary, supplies of vaccines and antivirals will be available for global use,” he said.
Source: Reuters
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