SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR AFTER FIRST AUSTRALIAN DIAGNOSED WITH BIRD FLU
- Child tested positive for H5N1 after overseas trip
- The symptoms every Aussie needs to be aware of
- READ MORE: Aussie egg farm goes into lockdown over bird flu fears
After Australia recorded its first human case of a bird flu strain that's been spreading globally, Aussies are being warned about the symptoms they need to be aware of.
On Wednesday, a child returning from India was confirmed as Australia's first case of avian influenza A(H5N1), which has caused widespread bird deaths around the world.
The child experienced a 'severe infection' after contracting the strain in March, but has since made a full recovery, Victoria's chief health officer said.
'This is the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Australia,' Dr Clare Looker said.
Symptoms of H5N1 infection may include fever, cough, headache, aching muscles and respiratory symptoms.
'The avian influenza virus was detected through further testing of positive influenza samples that takes place to detect novel or concerning flu virus strains, as part of Victoria's enhanced surveillance system.
'Contact tracing has not identified any further cases of avian influenza connected to this case.'
Dr Looker said the chance of additional human cases was low as avian influenza does not easily spread between people.
The revelation came on the same day that agricultural authorities revealed a different strain of bird flu had been detected at an egg farm in regional Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria ordered urgent testing after avian influenza was detected at a farm near Meredith, about 40km northwest of Geelong, following a number of poultry deaths.
Chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said the outbreak likely involved the H7N7 strain, different to the highly pathogenic H5N1 variant.
'There is a type of virus which is causing great concern in the USA and other parts of the world and has behaved unusually in that it has infected dairy cattle and some other marine mammals,' Dr Cooke told the ABC's Country Hour.
'This is not the strain that we're dealing with. This is a strain that's occurred in Australia before. It's likely not new.'
H7N7 was the most common strain of bird flu in Australia, Dr Cooke said.
One of the strains in the last bird flu outbreak in Australia in 2020, which affected one-in-three egg farms in Victoria, was a H7 strain and testing is underway to determine if it's the same one.
'Agriculture Victoria is responding with staff on the ground supporting the business with further laboratory investigations as necessary,' Dr Cooke said.
The property has been placed into quarantine with a 5km radius set up and affected animals will be 'depopulated'.
Samples of the virus have been sent to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong for testing.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection which can cause severe symptoms and sudden death in domestic poultry, wiping out entire populations.
Wild birds are the natural host for the disease and it can spread through close contact or contaminated environments.
All bird species are thought to be susceptible to the deadly H5N1, which has also been detected in more than 50 mammal species, including humans.
Infected people have observed mild symptoms or have been asymptomatic, but some experience severe illness.
Authorities have reassured the public that eggs and poultry products in supermarkets do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.
Bird owners have been reminded to keep enclosures clean, quarantine new birds before integrating them with existing flocks, ensure footwear is clean and to always wash hands before and after handling birds or eggs.
Read more 2024-05-23T01:59:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd
