For now there is no great concern among the Health authorities for the cases of Avian Flu that were confirmed in Neuquén and other provinces of the country, but the alerts are on due to the possibility of an eventual mutation of the virus that constitutes a more widespread jump of its transmission from animals to humans. Currently, this possibility seems remote, as shown by the National Ministry of Health with data: In 19 years, from 2003 to 2022, 868 cases of avian influenza in humans were reported worldwide.
Neuquén infectologist Jorge Calderón explained that it is an influenza A of the H5N1 subtype whose genetic characteristics evolve rapidly. Wild waterfowl are an important reservoir of influenza A viruses. Poultry populations can become infected through contact with wild birds.
“The letter A corresponds to the reservoir where the virus is housed, in this case, birds.” He indicated that all viruses have mutated over the years and that this transformation that is made in the nucleus of the virus may make it more good or dangerous, as happened with the variants that COVID had.
The last cases that were registered in Neuquén generated concern in public opinion due to the potential risk that this virus might have for the population.
In an eventual contagion, Calderón explained that the disease can cause from a simple cold to a strong flu and that the complexity of the cases also depends on the risk factors of the people.
“People have a lot of access to information and they immediately set off the alarms, but the most important thing is to take preventive measures, such as distance when you go to a crowded place, ventilation and hygiene, as was done during the pandemic. ”, he indicated. He also recalled that the flu vaccine for this year will be available in a few weeks, so he recommended that all those at risk apply it.
The Health authorities, meanwhile, carry out an epidemiological surveillance of all those people who have been exposed to sick or dead animals, or their environments contaminated with excretions in an area where there was an outbreak of Influenza AH5 in birds or other animals in the last 10 days and without proper use of personal protective equipment.
Also to any person exposed to avian influenza who presents -within 10 days of the last exposure- acute onset of at least one of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, coryza or difficulty breathing.
