The Aviar flu, sometimes known as bird flu, is a disease caused by a virus that mainly affects birdsBut that can also affect mammals, including people. The main route of propagation of the birds infected with people is direct contact with polluted birds or environments, for example in domestic Corral exploitation and on the sales markets for birds. Some cases of transmission have also been informed of other types of animals that are infected with people.
Loose Symptoms in people can be from mild to serious, And in some cases they can become mortal. The most common symptoms are respiratory products, for example cough, dyspneu or breathing difficulties and sore throat, although non -respiratory symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle or body pain, are also brought up.
Asymptomatic infections are also detected in people who were exposed to infected animals or their environment, but the most disturbing thing is already There has been at least one dead for this case. It happened early this year in the US.
H5N1 -Virus: Aviar Flu
In November 2023, this Argentinian researcher put the White Bio Safety Costume -of those who became so usual during the pandemic of the COVID-19, gloves and protective glasses and started with care and patience sor travel through a protected natural area in the South coast of Patagonia Known as Punta León. “It was as if I was walking on a battlefield.”
Two months ago a large number of birds and wolves and dead marine elephants were reported along the extensive Argentinian coast. So, this specialist in the field of animal health, accompanied by her colleague Marcela UhartHe went to the field to investigate what happened. “The symptoms were very characteristic of very pathogenic influenza or flu: Respiratory conditions, eye and nose fencing, epileptic seizures and paralysis“Says Gallo.
The scientists gathered brain samples from the bodies of lions and sea lions and substances from different birds spread along the coast of Chubut province. All gave positive for the virus van de Aviar Griep, called H5N1. This Genetic and epidemiological analysis They were the first proof of the dreaded: the pathogen, which until then was limited to circulating in poultry and wild birds, was mutated and was transferred between mammals.
“He virus He arrived in South America and managed to adapt to mammals soon”, Uhart, veterinarian and director of the Latin -American program of the Wildlife Health Center Karen C. Drayer of the University of California, explains the effect of this. virus Wild animals around the world are devastating.
The virus route
While Humanity was shocked by the COVID-19 PandemieAnother dangerous virus It expanded in silence and great speed by the planet: transported by the birds along its migration routes, the H5N1 invaded six continents, including Antarctica.
Otherwise virus SARS-COV-19, responsible for the COVID, the H5N1 is not new. It was first detected in China in 1996 In Corral Birds. Since then, 400 people have died because of the disease that causes it, although it rarely spread from individual to individual. Until 2020 it was not extensive on animals worldwide.
But something has changed. According to a report from the vet in recent years, according to a report Pablo I. Plaza26 countries have informed of 485 species of birds – Patos, pigeons, quail, ostriches, parrots, among other things and in more than 48 species of mammals, including Bears, mice, alpacas, cats, goats, zorrinos, dolphins, pumas, visions, foxes and dairy cows.
“The geographical area and The number of species affected by the current event is considerably higher That in earlier infection waves, “reads the article.
He virus H5N1 is already worldwide. In January 2023, the Alaska Environmental Conservation Department confirmed the death of a polar bear due to bird flu. “This is the first case of a polar bear reported all over the world,” said the local veterinarian Bob Gerlach.
It is estimated in the Costas of Peru and Chile died between 2022 and 2023 more than 30,000 South American marine lions. And more than 200,000 wild birds of different species, including the Peruvian pelican: 41 % of the population of this highly endangered marine bird was decimated.
On the Malvinas Islands, the H5N1 killed 10,000 black eyebrow albatros and destroyed a Papua Penguin -colony. While on the Peninsula Valdés, In Argentinian Patagonia it is estimated that 20,000 Zeeleuding died, including around 97% of their young people. A year after the outbreak Only a third of the marine elephants that are normally expected in the area that is returned.
The situation is very concerned with scientists who have cataloged it as “Panzootia”. As well as one Pandemie is a disease that influences people in many countries (From Greek Pan -Thod- and demos -Pueblo), the concept of ‘Panzootia’ has been used since the nineteenth century to describe extensive infections of several animal species by one virus.
H5N1 represents one Existential threat to World Biodiversityl. The increase in infections caused by this pathogen in warning mammals for the effects that these mass -astruments cause in ecosystems and in the social structure of their populations and by the associated economic losses. But scientists are worried about them Potential transfer to people.
The consequences have already been felt in the markets, especially in those of the United States. The very pathogenic bird flu has caused the rise in egg prices, which has been detected in 900 dairy farms in 16 states and More than 70 cases of people were reported during 2024According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although it is believed that there are many more.
At the beginning of January, the Louisiana Health Department He communicated the first death. The person was over 65 years old and She was admitted to hospital with bird flu after she was exposed to a herd of birds in her terrace Back and wild birds.
“One every time virus Influenza adapts to a new species, the possibility that the rank of guests will increase and other species can infect“Pérez explains.” virus They circulate both between birds and dairy cows that people can infect is even more disturbing, because a tension can arrive that eventually adapts to people and starts a pandemic.
The next virus movement
Between 1956 and 2000, only 18 bird flu sprouts were informed in the world. The situation changed with the Appearance of a new High -Pathogenic Aviaire Influenza descent That since 2005 has regularly caused outbreaks in both poultry and wild birds, mainly in Asia.
In the course of time, this Virus has improved its ability to infect And a new tribe has evolved to spread between migrating wild birds: the H5N1 moves from one herd to the other without extinguishing.
The deadliness of H5N1 and the amount of wild animals affected have not been published. It has removed species from some locations and has reached remote and isolated corners, such as the Sub -Antarctic Islands and Antarctica. Reports about mass deaths of animals are reported daily. On a global scale, however, Nobody really knows how many wild animals the H5N1 virus killed.
Although this pathogen so far has not evolved to easily transfer from one person to another, this can change at any time. The virus Van Influenza often mutinning and changing genetic segments, so that they can adapt to new guests. An article published in the magazine Science Last December he concluded that a single mutation in the protein H5N1 surface is sufficient to facilitate the transfer between people.
“Many outbreaks occur every day in almost everyone, what a large viral load implies, also in productive environments and near people“, Says Uhart.” The more opportunities virus To evolve by infecting guests of several species, but mainly mammals, more options need more contagious and/or aggressive variants for people.
Mammal mammal transmission can be a Trampoline on the evolutionary route of this virus And promote it to be able to convey from person to person. Yet it is not known with certainty when it will happen or if it will happen at all.
“We must fundamentally change the way animal productions are treated,” says Pérez. “He Animal overhaul and especially the lack of hygiene Attention for ourselves since we create the conditions, so that all types of pathogens can arise. In the 21st century, the markets of living animals are so simply an aberration in many parts of the planet and with little bio -safety.
At the same time that are countries They rush to get Vaccines for a possible pandemic Van Vogel Griep – the European Union provided more than 40 million doses for 15 countries and the United Kingdom has purchased 5 million – scientists point out that continuous monitoring of the situation is vital to reduce the risk of a pandemic.
In the meantime, Luciana Gallo and his colleagues follow the coast of Argentinian Patagonia. “H5N1 is a very disturbing virusHe says.