Two more people in the UK have been diagnosed with the nasty virus that is sweeping Europe – with symptoms including nausea, fever, cough and persistent headache.
There have now been four confirmed cases of bird flu since March in the UK after record levels were reported across Europe.
It comes as the European Food Safety Authority warned back in December that the ongoing outbreak was the “largest ever seen” on the continent.
But British health advisers said they would react quickly if any outbreaks of bird flu were detected in the UK.
This was said by a spokesperson for the UK’s Health Security Agency The mirror: “There are now a total of 4 detections through this program, which started in March and aims to detect possible animal-to-human infections in humans who have been exposed to infected birds.
“As of 10 July 2023, 144 individuals from eight infected premises have been tested through enhanced surveillance of poultry workers.”
Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director of the UKHSA, added: “Current evidence suggests that the bird flu viruses we see circulating in birds around the world do not spread easily to humans.
“However, we already know that the virus can spread to humans after close contact with infected birds, and so through surveillance programs like this we monitor people who have been exposed to learn more about these risks.”
“These findings may follow contamination of the nose and throat from inhalation of environmental material or may be due to infection. They can be difficult to distinguish in people who have no symptoms. Upon any detection, we will immediately initiate an appropriate public health response.”
Anyone who contracts bird flu is likely to develop symptoms very quickly, according to NHS.
The six earliest signs of infection include:
- diarrhea
- disease
- Stomach pains
- Chest pain
- Bleeding from the nose and gums
- Conjunctivitis
As the infection progresses, patients may also develop a very high fever, muscle aches, shortness of breath, cough and persistent headache.
In the worst possible cases, bird flu can lead to some severe complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is why it is extremely important to get early treatment if you are infected with the virus.
You should first dial 111 and ask for medical advice over the phone. That way, your symptoms can be checked quickly – although you should still mention whether you’ve recently been near dead animals.
If you keep poultry or indoor birds, you should report any suspected cases of bird flu as soon as possible. It’s a reportable disease, which means if you don’t report it, you’re technically breaking the law.
The most common signs that a bird has the virus include a swollen head, closed or watery eyes, and sudden death.