While Sars-CoV-2 is still circulating, should we fear a new epidemic? The first case of transmission of H5N8 avian influenza to humans was reported in Russia on February 20. Seven people working in a poultry factory were thus infected. This virus, which also circulates in French farms, should it be considered a threat?
H5N8 virus transmitted to humans in Russia: a rare phenomenon
The H5N8 virus is one of the viruses responsible for bird flu, which therefore affects birds. "While most avian viruses do not infect humans, some subtypes can sometimes cross the species barrier"can be read on the Institut Pasteur website. This is what happened in Russia with the H5N8 virus.
This rare phenomenon can occur during direct contact with infected birds. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that while these cases are indeed confirmed, "this would be the first time that H5N8 infects humans". If the institution clarified that for the moment, this virus is not transmitted from human to human, it adds that it "must be watched", because it has a potential for mutation and it can potentially "cause serious disease in humans"who have "little or noimmunityagainst the virus ". For now, infected people in Russia "feel good".
Avian influenza: for the time being, "no risk of transmission to humans" in France
Avian flu is also rife in some European countries, including France. In France, 467 outbreaks of avian influenza have been identified and three million poultry have been culled preventively. The government has, however, claimed that to date there is no "no risk of transmission to humans".
Analyzes are nevertheless underway to compare the virus identified in France and the one responsible for human contaminations in Russia. "To date, 130 complete viral sequences have been obtained in this way. None of the analyzes carried out by ANSES has shown any properties giving rise to fear of a risk of transmission to humans of the avian influenza virus present in poultry in France", can we read in a press release from the French Ministries of Agriculture and Health.
H5N8 virus: soon a test system?
To deal with the situation in Russia, the Russian state laboratory Vektor, which discovered these cases of transmission to humans, says it is appropriate "today start to develop a system of test which will quickly detect cases of this disease in humans ", but also to work on a vaccine.
For its part, the WHO is continuing its research:"We are in discussions with the (Russian) authorities to gather more information and assess the impact of this event on public health", explained the institution.
Read also :
⋙ Avian flu: all you need to know about the H5N1 virus
⋙ "Cristoli": what is this new virus discovered by French researchers?
⋙ SADS-CoV or acute swine diarrhea: this new coronavirus from pigs that could threaten humans