Brits are being warned to keep an eye out for symptoms of bird flu after a man became the first ever human to die from the virus in Mexico, sparking fears of a new global health crisis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the patient had been hospitalised in Mexico City with the H5N2 strain of the disease, before dying due to complications from the condition.
A WHO spokesperson said: “This is the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with an influenza A(H5N2) virus reported globally, and the first A(H5) virus infection in a person reported in Mexico. The case had multiple underlying conditions, and the investigation by the health authorities in Mexico is ongoing to determine the likely source of exposure to the virus.”
Brits are now being reminded to keep an eye out for symptoms of the disease. Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds, but in rare cases, it can also affect humans. A number of strains of bird flu have caused concern in recent years, but the H5N2 strain, which the patient in Mexico died from, had never been previously seen in humans.
The key symptoms of bird flu can appear quickly (South China Morning Post via Getty Images)Symptoms of bird flu
According to the NHS, the key symptoms of bird flu can appear quickly and often manifest as:
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- A high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery, aching muscles
- A headache
- A cough or shortness of breath
Other early symptoms may include:
- Diarrhoea
- Sickness
- Stomach pain
- Chest pain
- Bleeding from the nose and gums
- Conjunctivitis
It usually takes around 3 to 5 days for initial symptoms to appear once a person is infected. But, severe complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, can develop within just days of symptoms appearing. Its recommended to get treatment quickly and use antiviral medicine to prevent complications or severe illness from forming.
The disease is spread by close contact with an infected bird, dead or alive. This includes touching infected birds, droppings or bedding, or killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking. Another possible source of bird flu is markets where live birds are sold. It's advised to steer clear of these markets when travelling to countries that have reported an outbreak of the virus.
The disease is spread by close contact with an infected bird, dead or alive (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)How to avoid catching bird flu
If you're visiting an area that has experienced an outbreak you should:
- Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry
- Use different utensils for cooked and raw meat
- Make sure meat is cooked until steaming hot
- Avoid contact with live birds and poultry
Treatment for bird flu
If there are concerns you have symptoms of bird flu, you'll be advised to stay at home, or in more serious cases, will be cared for in hospital in isolation. To treat the virus, you may be given an antiviral medicine such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These help to reduce the severity of the condition, prevent complications and improve the chances of survival.
They are also sometimes given to people who have been in close contact with infected birds, or those who have had contact with infected people, for example family or healthcare staff, as a preventative measure.
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