Welcome to vnonline.co.uk

vnonline.co.uk provides the veterinary nursing profession with the latest news and industry developments, as well as events, resources, learning materials and careers.

Our website is dedicated to veterinary nurses and we strive to provide a platform where you can voice and explore your interests.

Not a member yet? Sign up for free!

Register for free with vnonline.co.uk to gain unlimited access to news, resources, jobs and much more!



Click here to become a member






Log in to vnonline

Forgot your password?

Posted: 19th April 2024

WHO raises avian flu concerns over spread to mammals
Avian flu has been described as a “a global zoonotic animal pandemic” by a WHO scientist.
Recent cases in the USA included a farm worker and livestock.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has spoken of its concerns about the spread of the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, after livestock and a farm worker in the USA recently tested positive.

In March, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed a case in a goat kid that lived on a farm where an outbreak had been detected in poultry. Since then, the disease has been confirmed in cattle herds across eight states, including Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico.

Federal and state agencies have increased testing for the virus, as well as viral genome sequencing, to monitor the situation.

Although avian influenza has previously been confirmed in mammals such as dogs, cats, and skunks since it reached the USA in 2022, this is the first time there have been widespread cases involving ruminants.

Health officials have also reported that a dairy worker in Texas is recovering after testing positive for avian influenza after exposure to infected dairy cattle. The individual reported eye redness as their only symptom. They were treated with an antiviral drug for influenza and told to isolate.

It is the second time a person in the USA has been diagnosed with avian influenza, following a case in Colorado in 2022.

Although there is no evidence that the H5N1 virus is spreading between humans, the WHO has warned that the increasing amount of cases involving mammals is a cause for concern.

During a press conference on Thursday, 18 April 2024, Jeremy Farrar, a chief scientist at the WHO, described avian influenza as “a global zoonotic animal pandemic” following the continued spread of the virus over the last couple of years.

Dr Farrar said: “The great concern, of course, is that in doing so and infecting ducks and chickens - but now increasingly mammals - that that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans. And then critically, the ability to go from human-to-human transmission.”

Image © Shutterstock



Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history



Latest news | Careers | Events | Resources | Contact us | Terms and conditions | Data Protection and Privacy |Cookie policy | About us | Copyright
© 2024 Vision Media, all rights reserved. vnonline.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external websites.