Walvis: Avian influenza outbreak may infect humans
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
With new avian influenza cases appearing in more than 40 countries over the last six months, Namibia is currently under investigation on whether a suspected outbreak in wild birds at Walvis Bay can infect humans.
According to the agriculture ministry, a report was received by the directorate of veterinary services on 13 January about a number of dead wild birds, specifically Cape cormorant and pelicans, on Bird Island and in the areas around Salt Company.
Since 14 January, officials have been carrying out outbreak investigations around the affected areas, and found two dead pelicans and over 200 dead Cape cormorants.
“Live sick birds were also observed showing clinical signs such as tremors/shivering, staggering movements and swollen heads,” the ministry said.
It added that some sick birds showed signs of tameness and reluctance to flee from humans.
Samples were collected and sent to the central veterinary laboratory for confirmation. The results are pending.
The source of the outbreak is suspected to be wild migratory birds.
Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus, which occurs worldwide, the ministry said.
“All birds are thought to be susceptible to infection with avian influenza, though some species are more resistant to infection than others.”
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is characterised by sudden onset, severe illness and rapid breathing with a mortality rate of 100%.
Might infect humans
“Some avian influenza strains, such as zoonotic strains, may infect humans. Humans can be infected with the virus via the eyes, nose and mouth, and when handling and coming into close contact with infected poultry or wild birds and/or through consuming infected products,” the ministry said.
It said further investigations are underway to establish whether the suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strain is zoonotic and can infect humans.
Therefore, the ministry has - with immediate effect - banned the movement of live domestic and wild birds from the Erongo Region and cautioned the public not to handle sick or dead birds or consume their products.
Since 1 May 2021, outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in 41 countries in poultry and wild birds.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, over recent years, numerous subtypes of the HPAI viruses have been circulating in diverse bird populations on a large geographical scale. In particular in 2021, an unprecedented genetic variability of subtypes has been reported in birds, thus creating an epidemiologically challenging landscape. The subtypes currently circulating in poultry and wild bird populations across the world are: H5N1, H5N3, H5N4, H5N5, H5N6 and H5N8.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
With new avian influenza cases appearing in more than 40 countries over the last six months, Namibia is currently under investigation on whether a suspected outbreak in wild birds at Walvis Bay can infect humans.
According to the agriculture ministry, a report was received by the directorate of veterinary services on 13 January about a number of dead wild birds, specifically Cape cormorant and pelicans, on Bird Island and in the areas around Salt Company.
Since 14 January, officials have been carrying out outbreak investigations around the affected areas, and found two dead pelicans and over 200 dead Cape cormorants.
“Live sick birds were also observed showing clinical signs such as tremors/shivering, staggering movements and swollen heads,” the ministry said.
It added that some sick birds showed signs of tameness and reluctance to flee from humans.
Samples were collected and sent to the central veterinary laboratory for confirmation. The results are pending.
The source of the outbreak is suspected to be wild migratory birds.
Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus, which occurs worldwide, the ministry said.
“All birds are thought to be susceptible to infection with avian influenza, though some species are more resistant to infection than others.”
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is characterised by sudden onset, severe illness and rapid breathing with a mortality rate of 100%.
Might infect humans
“Some avian influenza strains, such as zoonotic strains, may infect humans. Humans can be infected with the virus via the eyes, nose and mouth, and when handling and coming into close contact with infected poultry or wild birds and/or through consuming infected products,” the ministry said.
It said further investigations are underway to establish whether the suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strain is zoonotic and can infect humans.
Therefore, the ministry has - with immediate effect - banned the movement of live domestic and wild birds from the Erongo Region and cautioned the public not to handle sick or dead birds or consume their products.
Since 1 May 2021, outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in 41 countries in poultry and wild birds.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, over recent years, numerous subtypes of the HPAI viruses have been circulating in diverse bird populations on a large geographical scale. In particular in 2021, an unprecedented genetic variability of subtypes has been reported in birds, thus creating an epidemiologically challenging landscape. The subtypes currently circulating in poultry and wild bird populations across the world are: H5N1, H5N3, H5N4, H5N5, H5N6 and H5N8.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article