Although the most normal bird flu It is transmitted mainly between birds, but it can also be spread to humans. Therefore, in the event of an outbreak, all possible precautions must be taken to avoid them. And, logically, these precautions pass do not hug infected birdsno matter how much I appreciate them.
This is a warning that several scientists have raised in the face of the recent bird flu outbreak in United Kingdom. The reason they wanted to make this clarification is because they saw many farmers on social media hugging their sick birds. A good example of this is emu emmanuelknown on TikTok for invading its owner’s videos.
The connection with animals in some people can be the same as in humans. Therefore, it is clear that there are those who seek hug them to comfort. But just as we isolate ourselves from sick people when they have a contagious disease, we should also isolate ourselves from birds infected with avian flu.
What is bird flu and how is it transmitted?
Avian influenza is a disease caused by subtypes Influenza A viruswhich mainly affects birds, although it can also occur in mammals such as humans.
Among its most common symptoms cough, runny nose and eyes, ruffled plumage and decreased egg production. However, more severe forms can occur, causing bluish discoloration due to lack of oxygen, neurological problems, hemorrhage, and, in the worst case, death. death.
It is highly contagious and can infect entire farms if no action is taken. As for its spread among humans, although it is not very common, only 1000 cases of infection have been reported since 2003, there have been several outbreaks. However, it also presents an epidemiological problem for humans; because if the bird flu virus reached recombine with some influenza viruses that affect us has the potential to become a major pandemic.
It is spread primarily through contact with the faeces or respiratory secretions of infected animals. Therefore, hugging sick birds may not be the best idea.
Don’t hug them even if it costs you
images Eco-sister kissing Emmanuel’s emuaffected by the outbreak of avian influenza caused a major hype on social media. On the one hand, it is emotional to see the connection that has formed between the bird and the person. On the other hand, as some infectious disease experts warn, recklessness.
Such close contact can lead to infection, which can endanger more than just the emu’s caregiver. Also other people and other birds on the farm. That’s why, contact should be avoided.
The coronavirus pandemic has taught us this zoonotic diseasesthat are transmitted to humans from an animal reservoir are not game. Once an outbreak is detected in animals, every effort should be made to stop it, including avoiding close contact with affected individuals. We must not forget that each time a virus moves to a new host, it has the ability to replicate, create copies of itself, and in the process make mistakes that cause it to mutate and possibly become more dangerous. This is something we don’t want either.
That’s why, even if it’s hard, avoid infection from infected people. Whatever kind they are.
Source: Hiper Textual
