Cases US farmers infected with bird flu They continue to increase, while epidemiologists around the world continue to monitor the course of the disease very closely. The current outbreak is caused by a strain H5N1 is very dangerous, so its spread among people will be very serious. At the moment, it can be transmitted from animals to humans, but not from humans to others. This could happen if the virus mutates, in which case we could face the possibility of a new pandemic, as the WHO has already warned.
Therefore, it is important to control its development and, above all, pay attention to the main routes of infection. Strikingly, the majority of farmers who have become infected with avian influenza in recent weeks have developed eye symptomsespecially conjunctivitis. They all worked, milking cows. This, and the fact that very high concentrations of the virus were found in the raw milk, suggests that they were infected during milking.
Perhaps they touched their eyes with hands stained with milk, or even milk came to them directly through spray. But how easy is it for the bird flu virus to enter through the eyes?
Bird flu in cow’s milk
Some time ago it was proven that Cow’s milk. It was not initially known whether this would be due to active viral particles. However, when several farm cats died after drinking raw milk and were found to be infected with the virus, it all made sense.
Yes, it was noticed that pasteurization completely kills viruses. Pasteurization, not boiling. This is another reason not to drink raw milk. However, people responsible for milking cows are exposed to some additional risks.
It’s true that usually the udder is disinfected before milking begins. However, the devices used may not be fully disinfected, so they transmit the virus from one cow to another. Meanwhile, splashes of milk, even in the form of small aerosols, can enter the eyes of these workers, infecting them with bird flu.
How does it get through the eyes?
In fact, avian influenza causing conjunctivitis is nothing new. According to what they say in Scientific Americanin 2003, there was an outbreak of the strain among poultry in the Netherlands. H7N7 which caused 89 human cases. Of these, 78 patients developed conjunctivitis. Some didn’t even have respiratory symptoms. It is clear that human eyes have receptors for the avian influenza virus. This not only means that it can cause eye symptoms. This also indicates that the eyes are a route of infection.
The reason lies in the so-called sialic acid receptors. Influenza viruses, not just avian influenza, enter the cells they infect through sialic acid receptors. They vary between animals, so they are not as easy to infect different species. In the case of avian influenza, it has been observed that it can bind to both human and avian receptors. But, logically, it teams up more effectively with birds.
The problem is that the sialic acid receptors in the membrane lining the human eye are very similar to the receptors in the respiratory system of birds. So they join them in a much more efficient way. Once upon a time, through mucous membranes They can enter the respiratory system, causing more severe symptoms.
Farmers need PPE
Given the current situation, there is a growing need for personal protective equipment (PPE) among farmers and dairy farmers in the United States. Important masks and glovesBut with this virus, the use of protective glasses is especially important.
They should be used by anyone at risk of infection as it is considered an important route of infection. But that doesn’t mean you should wear safety glasses when going outside. This is only for farmers and other people who may come into contact with the avian influenza virus. especially in the United States. Although this virus is a concern for health authorities around the world, it is currently under close surveillance and does not appear to be ready for transmission between people. Information and caution are important, but not fear.
Source: Hiper Textual
