A baby has been confirmed as the primary case of H5N1 fowl flu in Australia.
The kid contracted the avian influenza A an infection whereas in India and fell sick in March this 12 months, based on Victorian well being officers.
The announcement got here hours after fowl flu was detected on a farm in Victoria.
“Contact tracing has not recognized any additional instances of avian influenza linked to this case,” Victoria Well being mentioned in a press release.
The kid reportedly suffered a extreme an infection however has since recovered.
Officers defined that the avian influenza virus was recognized by extra testing of optimistic influenza samples, a part of Victoria’s enhanced surveillance system designed to detect novel or regarding flu virus strains.
Well being officers emphasised that most individuals are usually not in danger from the virus until they’ve contact with contaminated birds, animals, or their secretions in affected areas.
“The avian influenza virus was detected by additional testing of optimistic influenza samples that takes place to detect novel or regarding flu virus strains, as a part of Victoria’s enhanced surveillance system,” officers mentioned.
“Hardly ever, avian influenza an infection in people can go to a different particular person with extended contact.
“Nonetheless, there isn’t a proof that the H5N1 strains of avian influenza circulating globally might be unfold simply from human to human.”
Earlier this 12 months, College of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science professor Michael Ward mentioned fowl flu may have the potential to trigger a pandemic after being detected in Antarctica for the primary time.
“There’s an enormous public well being concern as a result of earlier than Covid everybody was saying fowl influenza goes to be the following pandemic,” he mentioned.
“Covid got here in and form of leapfrogged it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless very excessive up on the agenda as one of many viruses that has the potential to trigger a pandemic.
“So each time it spills over into people, we’re involved.“Australia will get little or no fowl influenza, nevertheless it’s been actually raging in North America and particularly Europe the final two years – a bit uncontrolled.”
Professor Ward mentioned the behaviour of the flu’s unfold had been “uncommon”.
“It will not be shocking it’s ended up in Antarctica, nevertheless it’s shocking as a result of it’s so distant. And if it’s received there, there’s nowhere it may’t get,” he mentioned.