Russia Detects First Case Of H5N8 Avian Flu In Humans

 Avian Flu in Humans: Russia on February 20 said its scientists detected the first case of H5n8 avian flu in humans. The highly contagious strain H5N8 is lethal for birds, but has never been reported to spread to humans.

According to an official, information about the world’s first case of transmission of the avian flu, H5N8 to humans has been sent to World Health Organisation (WHO).

Anna Popova, head of Russia’s health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor stated that scientists at Russia’s Vektor laboratory isolated genetic material of the strain from seven workers of a poultry farm. The poultry farm is located in southern Russia, where an outbreak was recorded among the birds in December. Popova added that the workers did not suffer any serious health issues.

Popova praised the ‘important scientific discovery,’ saying that time will tell if the virus can mutate further. She stated that, "The discovery of these mutations when the virus has not still acquired an ability to transmit from human to human gives us all, the entire world, time to prepare for possible mutations and react in an adequate and timely fashion."

The Vektor State Virology and Biotechnology Centre that isolated the genetic material from the workers is located in Koltsovo, outside the Siberian city Novosibirsk. It has developed one of Russia’s several coronavirus vaccines.