British Health Agency Confirms Cases Of Bird Flu Suffered By Humans, Origin From Livestock

Illustration of female doctors in the laboratory. (Unsplash-Jarmoluk)

JAKARTA - The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) reported a rare case of infection with subtype A (H5N1) bird flu in humans in its country on Monday, January 27 local time.

"UKHSA has confirmed the case of influenza A(H5N1) in someone in the West Midlands [England] region," UKHSA said in an official statement, quoted from Sputnik via Antara.

The case of bird flu in humans in the UK originated from a local farm after close contact with many birds was infected for a long time.

People infected have been treated in special units and are currently in good condition. According to UKHSA, the risk of spreading to the wider community is considered very low.

The birds were infected with the genotype DI.2, one of the viruses known to circulate among birds in the UK this season. This virus is different from the strains circulating among mammals and birds in the United States, added a statement.

Bird flu is an acute viral infection disease in birds that attacks the respiratory and digestive system, with a high mortality rate.

Migrant birds, especially wild ducks, are the natural carriers of this virus and are more resistant to it than domestic birds. This disease can also be transmitted to humans.

In December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the H5 bird flu strain was detected in 76 people throughout 2024, with 61 of them farmers in the United States.