Wellcome responds to confirmed case of bird flu in the UK

Natsuko Imai, Research Lead in Epidemics in Wellcome’s Infectious Disease team, said:
"While avian flu H5N1 is commonly transmitted between birds, humans can also become infected through contact with infected birds. However, so far, there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission. The case confirmed by UKHSA today is not the same strain as the one causing outbreaks in dairy cattle in the US, where there is concern that continued spread among mammals could lead to the virus evolving the ability to spread between humans. Effective response relies on collaboration and clear communication between human and animal health workers. Being prepared can save lives, and requires robust surveillance and prevention measures, such as good biosecurity on farms and contact tracing, especially in areas with close animal-human contact. Research into transmission patterns, and how viruses change to infect different species continues to inform these preparedness efforts and identify emerging threats before they become crises."