This Wednesday (8), the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, spoke about the recent spread of H5N1 flu to mammals. According to him, the risk for humans is low, but it is still necessary to prepare for a possible pandemic.
The statement was made at a virtual press conference, in which journalists from all over the world had access to the subject, since recently otters, martens and sea lions were infected with the avian flu.
Tedros recalled that cases of H5N1 infection in humans have been rare since the flu strain emerged in 1996.
“We cannot take it for granted that this will continue to be the case and we must prepare for any change in the status quo,” said the WHO director-general.
A series of conditions for the virus not to be transmitted to humans was presented, among them, the indication that wild animals, dead or sick, are not touched by people who are not authorized. The advice is that, in these cases, the authorities are called.
“WHO is also continuing to engage with manufacturers to ensure that, if needed, supplies of vaccines and antivirals are available for global use.”
WHO is monitoring the cases and urges local and national authorities to do the same.
