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Italy Confirms First Human Case Of H9N2 Avian Flu Case In Europe

Italy Confirms First Human Case of H9N2 Avian Flu Case in Europe

The Italian authorities this week have confirmed the first human case of H9N2 Avian Flu in the Lombardy region – also the first in the European Union.

The influenza A(H9N2) infection was identified in a traveler returning from a non-European country, where the virus has previously been identified in birds. The patient has coexisting medical conditions and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital. 

Italy’s Ministry of Health, in a statement, said that they identified “infection with the low-pathogenicity avian influenza A (H9N2) virus of animal origin, in a frail person with concomitant illnesses, who came from a non-European country where he contracted the infection, and is currently hospitalized”.

Public health authorities in the country have performed contact tracing as a precaution to identify and control possible onward transmission and have initiated several epidemiological and microbiological investigations. 

“All the required checks were promptly carried out, and the relevant contacts were identified, as part of the ordinary prevention and surveillance activities. Currently, no critical issues have been identified, and the situation is being constantly monitored,” the Ministry said.

H9N2 is a subtype of the avian influenza A virus (bird flu) that causes respiratory illness in poultry worldwide and is endemic in many parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

While low-pathogenic in birds, it sporadically infects humans—usually children—causing mild, influenza-like illness, though severe cases can occur.

According to the WHO, most human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are exposed to the virus through contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/japan-confirms-new-highly-pathogenic-bird-flu-outbreak-report-article-153768730" data-type="tilCustomLink">Japan Confirms New Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Outbreak: Report</a>

Human infection tends to result in mild clinical illness. However, globally, there have been some hospitalized cases and two fatal cases reported in the past.

“Based on available information, further sporadic human cases could occur as this virus is one of the most prevalent avian influenza viruses circulating in poultry in different regions. With the currently available evidence, the WHO assesses the current public health risk to the general population posed by this virus as low,” the WHO said.

Human bird flu cases have been reported in countries like China, India, the UK, and Vietnam, often resulting in full recovery.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-reports-its-first-human-case-of-bird-flu-article-151144943" data-type="tilCustomLink">UK Reports Its First Human Case Of Bird Flu</a>

<h2>Rising Global Bird Flu Cases: Are Humans At Threat</h2>

Globally, the spread of bird flu cases has been driven by migratory birds, with increasing outbreaks in poultry farms across Japan, India, South Korea, and the US, among others.

To date, most human cases have occurred in people handling infected poultry or animals.

Key Symptoms of bird flu in humans include:

In severe cases, pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), have been reported. 

Human infections remain rare, and the risk is also low, yet scientists say that the virus may someday evolve into a variant that can cause significant harm to humans. Recent infections in mammals (like cattle) increase concern.

Bird flu (H5N1) was detected in the US milk supply, particularly in raw milk from infected dairy cows, with high levels found in milk and udder tissues.

“There is a consensus among those who study how infectious diseases originate and spread that the next pandemic in humans is most likely to originate in a bird flu. Of the different types of bird flu that are especially important, H5N1 avian influenza is considered the most likely candidate for a spillover event, with a high fatality rate,” Dr. Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics &amp; Biology, Ashoka University, told HealthandMe.

“From the small number of infections in humans that have been diagnosed, we know that about 30-40 percent of such cases can be fatal. But we don’t know the possible background of infections in which these deaths or serious cases might occur. In particular, the possibility of asymptomatic infections is open,” he added.

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Avian Flu

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The Italian authorities this week have confirmed the first human case of H9N2 Avian Flu in the Lombardy region – also the first in the European Union. The influenza A(H9N2) infection was identified in a traveler returning from a non-European country, where the virus has previously been identified in birds. The patient has coexisting medical conditions and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.  Italy’s Ministry of Health, in a statement, said that they identified “infection with the low-pathogenicity avian influenza A (H9N2) virus of animal origin, in a frail person with concomitant illnesses, who came from a non-European country where he contracted the infection, and is currently hospitalized”.  Public health authorities in the country have performed contact tracing as a precaution to identify and control possible onward transmission and have initiated several epidemiological and microbiological investigations.  “All the required checks were promptly carried out, and the relevant contacts were identified, as part of the ordinary prevention and surveillance activities. Currently, no critical issues have been identified, and the situation is being constantly monitored,” the Ministry said. What is H9N2? H9N2 is a subtype of the avian influenza A virus (bird flu) that causes respiratory illness in poultry worldwide and is endemic in many parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. While low-pathogenic in birds, it sporadically infects humans—usually children—causing mild, influenza-like illness, though severe cases can occur. According to the WHO, most human cases of infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are exposed to the virus through contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments.Also read: Japan Confirms New Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Outbreak: Report Human infection tends to result in mild clinical illness. However, globally, there have been some hospitalized cases and two fatal cases reported in the past. “Based on available information, further sporadic human cases could occur as this virus is one of the most prevalent avian influenza viruses circulating in poultry in different regions. With the currently available evidence, the WHO assesses the current public health risk to the general population posed by this virus as low,” the WHO said. Human bird flu cases have been reported in countries like China, India, the UK, and Vietnam, often resulting in full recovery.Also read: UK Reports Its First Human Case Of Bird Flu  Rising Global Bird Flu Cases: Are Humans At ThreatGlobally, the spread of bird flu cases has been driven by migratory birds, with increasing outbreaks in poultry farms across Japan, India, South Korea, and the US, among others. To date, most human cases have occurred in people handling infected poultry or animals.Key Symptoms of bird flu in humans include:Cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, difficulty breathingHigh fever (often >38°C), fatigue, muscle/body achesConjunctivitis (red/irritated eyes), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.In severe cases, pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), have been reported. Human infections remain rare, and the risk is also low, yet scientists say that the virus may someday evolve into a variant that can cause significant harm to humans. Recent infections in mammals (like cattle) increase concern. Bird flu (H5N1) was detected in the US milk supply, particularly in raw milk from infected dairy cows, with high levels found in milk and udder tissues. “There is a consensus among those who study how infectious diseases originate and spread that the next pandemic in humans is most likely to originate in a bird flu. Of the different types of bird flu that are especially important, H5N1 avian influenza is considered the most likely candidate for a spillover event, with a high fatality rate,” Dr. Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics & Biology, Ashoka University, told HealthandMe. “From the small number of infections in humans that have been diagnosed, we know that about 30-40 percent of such cases can be fatal. But we don’t know the possible background of infections in which these deaths or serious cases might occur. In particular, the possibility of asymptomatic infections is open,” he added.

italy confirms first human case of h9n2 avian flu case in europe

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