Holidaymakers are being advised to steer clear of sick or deceased birds amid concerns of bird flu infection. The H5N1 strain that is currently plaguing the UK has already affected approximately one million birds, and experts worry that it could soon jump to humans. The National Trust, responsible for the maintenance of 800 miles of British coastline, is cautioning beach visitors about bird flu risks. The charity has stationed staff to inform the public about the dangers. While the virus doesn’t easily spread to humans, coming into contact with an infected bird or its waste is a known transmission route. Rhian Sula, a general manager for the charity in Pembrokeshire, stated that although locals are aware of the risks, not all visitors are. To mitigate the risks, warning signs have been posted, and discussions are being held about the importance of keeping dogs on leashes and maintaining distance from birds.
The National Trust is advising visitors not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any sightings to the government or call Defra. James Parkin, director of nature and tourism for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, shared that local rangers have retrieved around 800 deceased birds, primarily guillemots, razorbills, and gannets. Jeff Knott, director of policy and advocacy at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, noted that there has been an unusually high number of seabird deaths, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions. He underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that it could become a dire catastrophe.
Globally, there have been less than 900 recorded cases of H5N1 in humans, with a fatality rate of nearly 50%. However, since the outbreak began in October 2021, the UK has seen an increase in cases. Alan Gosling, a retired engineer in Devon, contracted the virus in early 2022 after his ducks became infected. Although he later tested negative after being quarantined for almost three weeks, all his 160 ducks, including those living inside his home, were culled.
The UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) reported earlier this month that two more poultry workers tested positive, bringing the total number of cases to five. Despite this, there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission in the UK, and the UKHSA maintains that the risk to public health is very low. Nevertheless, European health authorities have advised pet owners to keep their cats indoors and dogs on a leash while out for walks due to the recent positive tests for bird flu in cats. No human cases have been reported thus far.
Bird flu is an infectious type of influenza that primarily affects birds but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected birds, including touching them, their droppings, or their bedding. Wild birds, particularly during migration, serve as carriers for the virus and can spread it globally. The H5N1 and H3N8 strains are currently circulating, with H5N1 causing widespread deaths in birds and poultry globally. The H3N8 strain caused the first reported human death in China earlier this year. Although the risk to humans is considered low, it is cautioned that bird flu is a lethal virus, resulting in a 56% fatality rate for humans infected with it.
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