A rare case of human infection with bird flu has been reported in the UK

A rare case of human infection with bird flu has been recorded in the UK. This was reported on January 27 by the British Health Services Agency (UKHSA).

It is specified that a resident of the county of West Midlands caught influenza A(H5N1) as a result of prolonged contact on the farm with infected birds.

"Bird-to-human transmission of avian influenza is rare and has previously occurred in a small number of cases in the UK," the agency said in a publication on its website.

According to the UKHSA, the risk to the public "remains very low". At the moment, the infected man is being treated in the department of infectious diseases with severe consequences (HCID). That said, he is feeling well.

UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor Professor Susan Hopkins clarified that at the moment there is no evidence of further transmission of the virus.

Earlier, on December 28, 2024, Rospotrebnadzor reported that the risk of spread in Russia of a new mutation of bird flu, identified in the United States, is minimal. Then the agency told about the new mutation of the disease, detected in humans in Louisiana.

Prior to that, on December 12, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said that the risk of the transition of bird flu to humans is an area of special attention in Russia and for the world expert community. She noted that test systems are being prepared for each new virus that creates pandemic potential. In addition, prototype vaccines have been developed in case of need.