High alert on bird flu, if genetic variation occurs, it can spread to humans

ALAPPUZHA: The state government has issued an alert on bird flu. The action of the health department is because there is a possibility of spreading the virus to humans if there is genetic mutation. Bird flu was confirmed in Kerala in April. However, none of the tests conducted so far have reported positive cases in humans. Kerala issued an alert after a four-year-old girl was diagnosed with the disease in West Bengal.

One death due to bird flu was reported in Mexico. Including the new case in West Bengal, two human cases have been reported so far in the country. The first was in 2019. H5N2 virus was confirmed in Alappuzha. The same virus claimed lives in Mexico. However, the H9N2 virus was found in a child in Bengal. Normally, both of these viruses are rarely transmitted to humans.

However, if genetic variation occurs, the possibility of spreading to humans is high. Health workers said that this is why vigilance has been intensified. If people coming in contact with the birds have symptoms including fever, their samples will be tested. Alappuzha Institute of Virology has the facility for it. Alappuzha Medical College Hospital is ready to provide treatment if positive cases are detected. An ICU system with a ventilator was set up when bird flu was reported.