A mutant strain of bird flu that has appeared in Russia has a “fairly high degree of likelihood” of human-to-human transmission, the country’s chief health guard warned in a report.
Anna Popova, who leads Rospotrebnadzor, made the worrying prediction almost a month after scientists detected the first case of H5N8 transmission to humans at a poultry farm in southern Russia, the Moscow Times reported.
People can become infected with other subtypes of bird and swine flu, but the H5N8 strain – which is lethal to birds – has never been reported to have spread to humans.
“It simply came to our notice then. Colleagues say the mutation is still very active, “Popova said, adding that Rospotrebnadzor and the Siberian state research laboratory Vektor have time to develop a test kit and vaccine and then” monitor the situation. “
“If we don’t need him, it will be a lucky break. But, if necessary, we will be ready, “said the Russian chief medical officer of the Russian news agency TASS.
“In other words, we can warn the entire world community about the threat.”
Last month, Popova reported to the World Health Organization the first case of the H5N8 strain transmitted to humans from birds at the World Health Organization.
In addition to Russia and Europe, outbreaks of H5N8 have been reported in China, the Middle East and North Africa in recent months – but so far only in poultry.
Other strains of bird flu, such as H5N1, H7N9 and H9N2, are known to have spread to humans.
Seven workers at a Russian poultry factory were infected with the H5N8 mutation in a plant outbreak in December, Popova said, adding that everyone recovered quickly.
“This situation has not developed further,” she said in late February.