Researchers around the globe have been frightened by the H5N1 avian influenza virus for quite some time due to its persistence in poultry species and apparent evolution among small species.
The bird flu virus, despite scientific concerns, would need to mutate to change its behaviour and cause humans to become severely ill.
The Virus is known to cause intestinal damage in poultry. To spread to humans, it would need to be able to harm lung tissue like COVID-19. However, this is unlikely to happen.
Since 1999, the first human case in China was reported, and cases of H5N1 have been extremely sporadic. Since 1999, around 900 human cases of H5N1 have been reported, all among those who work in poultry farms or with birds.
The Virus can kill humans up to 50% of the population, even though it is registered as a ‘continuity.’
Avian influenza A virus (H5N1) is highly contagious and can be fatal, especially to poultry.
This Asian Virus has been endemic (common) in some countries worldwide. Since 2011, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has identified at least six countries as endemic for the H5N1 Virus:
- Bangladesh
- China
- Egypt
- India
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
