Written By: Satata Karmakar | Published : January 21, 2025 8:00 AM IST
Bird Flu Outbreak in Kerala: State Sees Massive Surge in Infections, Kottayam and Kollam Worst Affected
Bird Flu Death In US: Five years ever since the world witnessed the deadliest virus outbreak triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, global health experts are now warning of another potential virus outbreak that could escalate into the next pandemic if urgent precautions are not implemented. H5N1 or the bird flu virus is reportedly mutating rapidly, throwing serious challenges to the experts. According to the reports, the United States (US) has confirmed the first death of an individual due to the H5N1 virus in Texas. The death has sparked fresh concerns about the virus's potential to trigger another possible pandemic crisis globally -- very much similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Bird flu virus may have turned deadlier in the recent outbreak this year as scientists have discovered a strain in a person in Texas with as many as nine mutations. These changes in the virus can increase its efficiency in causing the disease, replicating in the brain, and increasing its severity as per researchers at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed)," experts quoted as saying.
What is the H5N1 virus and what symptoms our body may show after we are infected? Let's understand it all.
The H5N1 virus was first identified in 1996 in geese in China. Since then, outbreaks have been reported in various countries, particularly in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Over the years, H5N1 has continued to circulate in bird populations, with sporadic human cases reported, primarily linked to direct contact with infected birds.
As per studies, the H5N1 virus primarily spreads via direct contact with infected birds or their droppings. Humans usually contract the virus through close contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments.
According to experts, when an individual is infected with the H5N1 virus, the patient may show these signs and symptoms --
In severe cases, H5N1 patients may suffer from serious pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and even death.
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