The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday reassured the public that the risk of avian influenza, or bird flu, remains low, despite the first U.S. death from the H5N1 virus in Louisiana.
WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris said the virus is “not circulating in humans but jumping into humans” through exposure to poultry or dairy cattle. She emphasized that sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed.
The man, aged over 65 and with underlying medical conditions, was exposed to chickens and wild birds prior to his death, health authorities reported. Several dozen individuals in the U.S. have contracted avian influenza during the ongoing outbreak, primarily farmworkers in close contact with poultry and cattle.
Dr. Harris reiterated that the WHO’s risk assessment for the general population “remains low” but stressed that workers in animal industries face greater risk and should be better protected.
“Surveillance efforts in both humans and animals continue in the U.S.,” Dr. Harris said, underscoring the importance of monitoring farming practices and food production to mitigate potential risks.
Meanwhile, attention has turned to a respiratory virus gaining ground in China. The human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which has been circulating in the region, is not a new or major threat, according to Dr. Harris. The virus is expected to rise during winter months, but seasonal influenza remains the most common respiratory infection in China.
“China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season,” Dr. Harris said. “Hospital utilization is currently lower than at this time last year, and no emergency responses have been triggered.”
hMPV, first identified in 2001, is a common winter and spring virus that typically causes mild respiratory symptoms akin to the common cold. Though it can lead to more severe disease in vulnerable populations, including the elderly and newborns, the WHO spokesperson described the virus’ mortality rate as “very, very low.”
Simple preventive measures, such as wearing masks, improving ventilation in indoor spaces, and practicing hand hygiene, are recommended to reduce the spread of the virus.
