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The United States confirmed, this Friday (14), the first human case of infection with the H5N5 virus, a variant of bird flu that had never been detected in people. The patient, an elderly woman who lives in Grays Harbor County, Washington State, remains hospitalized after experiencing a high fever, mental confusion and difficulty breathing, symptoms that progressed quickly.
Experts ask for attention, but rule out immediate risk/ Photo: Reproduction
The Department of Health reported that the virus belongs to the same group as H5N1, a subtype that has circulated among poultry farmers in recent years. There is still no clarity on how the contamination occurred, but the patient kept a small home farm with chickens, which reinforces the hypothesis of direct exposure to an infected animal.
With the confirmation of the case, health surveillance teams intensified analyzes to discover the origin of transmission and check whether other people in the region have compatible symptoms. For now, authorities reinforce that the risk to the population remains low.
Virus worries creators
Avian influenza is highly contagious among birds, especially in environments where wild and domestic species coexist. In humans, infection is rare and only occurs in situations of direct contact with contaminated animals. Among birds, the most common signs include difficulty breathing, torticollis, diarrhea and a sudden increase in mortality.
In the State of Washington, breeders received new prevention guidelines: use of gloves, masks, eye protection and waterproof clothing when handling chickens and other birds. Any suspicion of disease in the herd must be immediately reported to the agricultural authorities.
Experts ask for attention, but rule out immediate risk
Despite the initial concern, there is no record of H5N5 transmission between humans, as is the case with other variants of avian influenza.
H5N5/ Photo: Reproduction
“There is no reason to panic”, says infectious disease specialist Klinger Soares Faíco Filho. “These viruses cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Still, closely monitoring each suspicion is essential.”
Health professionals also highlight that annual flu vaccination helps reduce complications in cases of influenza, including when avian variants are circulating. The American government reinforces the importance of avoiding contact with sick birds, not handling wild animals and not consuming raw products, such as unpasteurized milk.
