Explained: H5N1 is 60 percent deadlier and more lethal than normal flu, adept at changing forms, will it become the next pandemic?

New Delhi: It was July 2009, a strange disease spread in pig farm houses in New South Wales, Australia, which affected pigs all over Australia. Investigation revealed that these pigs were infected with H1N1 i.e. influenza. Actually, the infection started from humans to pigs. It was then named H1N1/09. The pigs coughed violently and lost their appetite. There were some female pigs who did not produce milk for their babies. Today, for the first time, this virus seems to be spreading from human to human. Let us understand what danger this is.

Three epidemics in the 20th century claimed 53 million lives.

According to a report published on cdnsciencepub.com, Influenza A virus caused three pandemics in the 20th century. One of these epidemics spread in 1918, behind which H1N1 was responsible. It was so fatal that due to it, 5 crore people across the world had to lose their lives. After this, 20 lakh people died due to Influenza A (H2N2) in 1957, 10 lakh people died due to Influenza A (H3N2) in 1968. After this, influenza could not become an epidemic.
First case of ‘bird flu’ infection in humans, child got infected while staying in India

After 40 years it returned in a new form and became an epidemic

Then after a long time, Influenza A (H1N1) returned in 2009. It was then declared an epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the entire world. At that time, 2.5 lakh cases were reported worldwide, out of which 2,832 people died. Now in the 21st century, the biggest threat is knocking in the form of H5N1, because it is an infection that spreads from human to human. For the first time in 1997, avian influenza virus spread to humans, causing the death of 6 people.

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First case of human-to-human bird flu found in Australia

Recently, the first case of ‘bird flu’ infection in humans was detected in Australia. A child had contracted this infection while living in India a few weeks ago. The child is healthy now. In fact, infection was confirmed in a child in Victoria, which is the first case of bird flu in Australia. The child contracted H5N1 flu while in India and was ill in the month of March this year.

What is bird flu, where does it spread from?

Avian influenza virus is also called bird flu. This virus spreads from bird to bird and proves fatal for most birds. A person can get bird flu if they come in contact with spit (saliva), water droplets or poop (faeces) of an animal or bird infected with bird flu. The virus can be inhaled through small dust particles in the animal’s habitat or can also be transmitted if humans touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching the body fluids of an infected animal.

How dangerous is this influenza virus?

According to WHO, although H5N1 influenza virus has a limited level of human-to-human infection, it is 60 percent more lethal and deadly than H1N1. This virus can easily spread among humans. Therefore it can be considered more dangerous.

Where has this dangerous virus originated from?

According to Ravikant Chaturvedi, a doctor of internal medicine in Ranchi, all the forms of influenza originate from water sources only. Especially from ponds and rivers. However, birds swimming in water do not fall ill with this virus. It has such a tremendous potential for change that it can spread anywhere at any time. It can spread to humans, pigs, horses and dogs. It is also called human, swine, equine and canine influenza virus.

H5N1 had hit China for the first time

H5N1 first started infecting rapidly in China in 1996. This virus started spreading from wild birds to domestic birds and from here it started infecting humans in 1997. The first case was found in Hong Kong.

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After Corona, H5N1 crisis looms over the world

According to Dr. Ravikant Chaturvedi, after the Corona epidemic, H5N1 is being considered as a major epidemic in the coming times. This disease can prove to be 100 times more deadly than Corona. It is being told that this could be more devastating than the Covid-19 crisis. The H5N1 strain may pose a particularly serious threat in this pandemic.

Infects the respiratory tract, these are the symptoms

Flu is a common respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Its symptoms often include fever, head and body aches, cough and blocked or runny nose. This can be dangerous for pregnant women and people suffering from any serious illness.

Bird flu can be avoided with these measures

In humans, symptoms of bird flu appear within the first 4 days. Its symptoms also disappear within seven days. For this one should drink plenty of water. There should be good food. Keep your hands clean and wash regularly. Take a steamy shower once in between. Be sure to eat food rich in Vitamin D.