NEW DELHI: Because the nation reported the primary confirmed case of human demise because of Avian influenza, AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday mentioned that human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus could be very uncommon and there’s no have to panic.
Nonetheless, there’s a have to do contact tracing and in addition take samples and search for any poultry deaths within the space from the place the kid who died as a result of virus was residing, the AIIMS director mentioned.
A 12-year-old boy from Haryana, who was contaminated with the H5N1 virus, not too long ago died at AIIMS Delhi.
The Nationwide Institute of Virology, Pune had confirmed the an infection, Dr Guelria mentioned.
“The transmission of the virus from birds to people is uncommon and sustained human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus has not but been established and subsequently there isn’t a have to panic.
“However then individuals working intently with poultry should take precautionary measures and keep correct private hygiene,” Dr Guleria mentioned.
Dr Neeraj Nischal, an affiliate professor within the Division of Medication at AIIMS, mentioned Avian influenza or fowl flu is predominately a zoonosis, and there’s no proof of sustained human-to-human transmission to date.
“Though few remoted household clusters have been reported, transmission in these clusters might have occurred by means of widespread publicity and in uncommon scenario a really shut bodily contact; there isn’t a proof of human-to-human transmission by way of small-particle aerosols,” he mentioned.
“Serologic surveys haven’t discovered proof of asymptomatic infections amongst contacts of lively circumstances and nosocomial transmission to healthcare staff has not been documented,” Dr Nischal mentioned.
“There isn’t any want to fret if one is consuming correctly cooked poultry merchandise. There isn’t any proof to date that it may be unfold to individuals by means of correctly cooked meals. The virus will get destroyed when the meals is cooked at excessive temperature. One ought to keep away from contact with contaminated poultry, particularly ailing or dying chickens,” he mentioned.
Dr Guleria mentioned previously when H5N1 avian flu influenza circumstances had been reported from poultry, culling of poultry in these areas has been completed to stop the unfold of an infection and deal with it early.
The H5N1 is often transmitted to poultry by means of migratory birds, he mentioned.
Individuals who work in shut contact with poultry are at excessive danger of getting the an infection, Guleria added.
An AIIMS supply had mentioned the 12-year-old boy was admitted to AIIMS on July 2 with pneumonia and leukaemia. He died on July 12.
Whereas present process remedy, exams for COVID-19 and influenza had been carried out.
“His samples examined unfavourable for COVID-19. It got here out optimistic for influenza however was non-typable. It was despatched to Nationwide Institute of Virology, Pune, the place they confirmed it to be optimistic for H5N1 avian influenza,” the supply had mentioned.
Particulars of the case have been conveyed to the Nationwide Centre for Illness Management (NCDC) and their staff has began surveillance and get in touch with tracing and to see if there are any extra circumstances with comparable signs with whom the kid has are available in contact, sources mentioned.
In the meantime, all workers at AIIMS who had been uncovered to the deceased have been requested to watch themselves for any signs of flu and report back to the authorities instantly.
In January, some states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Chhattisgarh culled poultry birds after the illness was reported.
In accordance with the WHO, nearly all circumstances of H5N1 an infection in individuals have been related to shut contact with contaminated dwell or lifeless birds, or H5N1-contaminated environments.
At present obtainable epidemiologic data suggests the virus doesn’t infect people simply, and unfold from individual to individual seems to be uncommon.
When individuals do turn into contaminated, the mortality charge is about 60 per cent.
In accordance with the World Well being Organisation poultry and poultry merchandise will be ready and consumed as traditional, with no worry of buying an infection with the avian flu virus.
One ought to proceed to observe good hygienic and cooking practices. The virus is destroyed at a temperature of 70 levels C for half-hour. After dealing with poultry and eggs, one ought to clear palms and different uncovered components, it mentioned.