H5N1 is a strain of bird flu, caused by a virus from the Orthomyxoviridae family. It is an infectious disease that primarily affects birds.
H5N1 Virus
The H5N1 virus mainly affects poultry such as chickens, hens, or ducks, but it can also appear in other wild and migratory animals, including seagulls, birds of prey, and even some mammals such as seals, foxes, or pumas, to name a few.
Transmission is typically linked to direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
The name H5N1 comes from a combination of two proteins found on the virus’s surface: H stands for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase. The numbers refer to their subtypes—there are 18 subtypes of hemagglutinin and 11 of neuraminidase. In this strain, this refers to subtype 5 of hemagglutinin and subtype 1 of neuraminidase.
This classification helps in identifying the virus and developing specific strategies for surveillance, prevention, and protection.
Bird Flu in Mexico
Globally, the H5N1 strain has caused significant outbreaks in both wild and domestic birds since 2022, particularly in the United States.
Although the first human case of bird flu H5N1 has already been reported in Mexico, there is currently no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the public health risk to the general population is low and that consuming well-cooked poultry or eggs does not pose a danger to humans.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended to follow these practices:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based solution (80%).
- Wear a face mask if you have respiratory symptoms.
- Keep spaces well ventilated.
- Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
- Wash hands before handling cooked food and after handling raw food.
- Properly cook all food.
- Avoid touching or approaching wild animals.
- Do not handle or pick up dead animals without proper sanitary precautions.
- Do not touch sick or dead poultry or animals of unknown cause.
- Use gloves, face masks, and protective clothing if working on farms or in slaughterhouses.
- Monitor and report any unusual illness or deaths in farm or backyard animals to the authorities immediately.
Bird Flu Symptoms
If you are around poultry or livestock, it’s important to watch for signs of unexplained sudden death, extreme lethargy, loss of appetite or thirst, ruffled feathers, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing—any signs that are abnormal in a healthy animal.
In humans, symptoms may resemble those of the flu, seasonal influenza, or even COVID-19.
Watch for fever above 38°C (100.4°F), dry or productive cough, sore throat, muscle aches, general discomfort, and headache. If any of these occur and you’ve been in contact with poultry or wild animals that could be infected, seek medical attention immediately.
H5N1 can be transmitted through direct contact with infected birds or animals, via inhalation of respiratory secretions or contaminated bird droppings.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Department, we can provide you with specialized care.
Contact us!
Fuentes:
Secretaría de Salud, CDC. OMS
