The disease has killed dolphins in Chile and Peru, thousands of seals and sea lions on the coast, and millions of birds across the region.
Avian Influenza. Photo: Reuters.
he Deadly H5N1 virus Bird flu begins to spread more aggressive no way among wild birds and marine mammals Since its arrival in South America in 2022, this situation has increased its status as a main threats For humans, according to interviews with eight scientists.
More concerning, however, is that the disease, which was previously mostly limited to birds, now appears to be spread among mammals.this strain Already killed to a group dolphin In Chile and Peru, approx. 50,000 seals and sea lions on the coast, at least half a million birds the whole area.
Avian influenza reported in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.Photo: EFE
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Is transmission possible between mammals?
To confirm transmission between mammals, scientists They should test live animals for infection. “This has almost certainly happened,” explains virologist Richard Wehbe of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He added: “It’s hard to explain. some of the major infections and deaths that are not transmitted among mammals.
This strain occurs in thousands of bird species, including some migration qScientists say this could spread it beyond the region.
Sea lions infected with avian influenza. Photo: Tyram.
as climate changeanimals will have to move to new territories and start mixing, leading to an increase in viral mutations in other organisms.
“yes a matter of time “This is the first South American strain found in North America,” said Alonzo Alfaro-Nunez, a viral ecologist at the University of Copenhagen.
Regarding the risk to humans, experts say the World Health Organization is unlikely to raise the risk level to humans from the current “low” level No evidence of human-to-human transmission or adaptive mutations to human receptors.
They hope to roll out a bird flu vaccine. Photo: Reuters.
Drugmakers including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Moderna say they are developing a vaccine A human vaccine against avian influenza and the ability to produce hundreds of millions of doses over several months using production lines for seasonal flu vaccines.