https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64474594
"The largest ever outbreak of bird flu is spilling over into mammals, including
otters and foxes in the UK.
Figures released to the BBC show the virus has led to the death of about 208
million birds around the world and at least 200 recorded cases in mammals.
Public health bosses warn the mutation in mammals could see a jump to humans
but the risk to the public is very low.
There will now be more targeted surveillance and testing of animals and humans
exposed to the virus in the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) still advises that avian flu is primarily
a disease of birds, but experts across the globe are looking at the risks of it
spilling over into other species.
Worldwide, the virus has been found in a range of mammals, including grizzly
bears in America and mink in Spain, as well as in dolphin and seals.
In the UK, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has tested 66 mammals,
including seals, and found nine otters and foxes were positive for highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
Cases have been found in Durham, Cheshire and Cornwall in England; Powys in
Wales; Shetland, the Inner Hebrides and Fife, Scotland.
It is believed they had fed on dead or sick wild birds infected with the virus.
The animals were found to have a mutation of the virus that could make it
easier to infect mammals, but there was no evidence of transmission between
mammals."
Via Farhad A.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
