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cover of episode How concerned should I be about avian flu?

How concerned should I be about avian flu?

2024/12/12
logo of podcast The Dose

The Dose
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Lenora Saxinger
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Lenora Saxinger: 作为一名传染病专家,我一直密切关注H5N1禽流感的发展。虽然目前还没有到恐慌的程度,但考虑到近年来禽流感疫情的严重性以及各种食品动物生产问题,我们必须保持警惕。如果H5N1发展成大流行,那将是一个非常严重的问题。目前,H5N1病毒已经在美国的奶牛群中广泛传播,并且在人类中也出现了零星病例。尽管大多数人类病例都与接触受感染的动物有关,但仍有一些病例的感染源不明。最令人担忧的是,有研究表明H5N1可能只需一次突变就能在人与人之间传播。尽管目前还没有证据表明H5N1已经发生人际传播,但我们必须密切关注病毒的变异情况,并采取必要的预防措施。我特别强调,与动物接触的人员应密切监测自身健康状况,并及时进行检测。此外,公众应避免接触生病或死亡的动物,并保持良好的个人卫生习惯。

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The H5N1 avian flu virus, initially detected in the U.S. in March 2024, has spread to hundreds of dairy herds across 16 states and is increasingly found in wastewater. A concerning case involved a critically ill teenager in British Columbia, Canada. The virus's ability to infect a wide range of animals, including dairy cattle and even pets, raises significant concerns.
  • H5N1 avian flu detected in hundreds of dairy herds across 16 U.S. states
  • Increasing presence in U.S. wastewater
  • Critically ill teenager in British Columbia infected with H5N1
  • Virus infects a wide range of animals

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H5N1 avian flu has now spread through dairy herds in 16 U.S. states. Close to 60 human cases have been reported in the U.S. and one here in Canada with a B.C. teen. Most have been caused through contact with infected animals, though a few sources are unclear. A new study in the journal Science says the virus might be just a single mutation away from more easily spreading between people. But infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Lynora Saxinger, says that while there’s no reason to panic, we need to take precautions and get any exposure to sick animals checked out.