Improving overall physical condition and immune strength may strengthen resistance to the virus.
Abnormally High Incidence of Influenza Type A
Respiratory diseases are on the rise this winter in China. Commonly known viruses include influenza, respiratory fusion, human metapneumovirus, rhino, COVID-19, and a variety of other pathogens. The Chinese authorities claim that influenza A accounted for up to 99 percent of all cases this year, with H1N1 being the dominant strain.
Complications of acute necrotizing encephalopathy are relatively rare in common influenza A H1N1, while highly pathogenic avian influenza is more likely to lead to such severe illness, Lin said.
A disease prevention worker in China told The Epoch Times that he has encountered more than a hundred cases of H5N1 avian influenza. He warned that H5N1 is likely to become a highly threatening virus strain in the future.
Due to the lack of transparency in official data, with authorities failing to fully disclose information to the public, Lin believes that it is crucial to raise awareness of prevention and be alert to the potential risks of the epidemic.
Distinguish Between Common Influenza A and Avian Flu
Influenza A
Common influenza A includes two virus strains, H1N1 and H3N2.
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Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, weakness, and aching muscles.
Avian Flu
If the avian flu virus infects humans, especially the highly pathogenic strain, it tends to trigger more serious conditions.
Symptoms include high fever, conjunctivitis, shortness of breath, which may cause pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Encephalitis is also a common symptom. When the virus invades the brain, it can cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty balancing, and even reduced consciousness. This is especially serious for children and people with weak immune systems and could be life-threatening.
- Pay special attention to keeping warm in winter and try to avoid infections in the respiratory tract.
- Try to avoid contact with live poultry in the market.
- Children are the focus of protection. Children who develop symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, and reduced consciousness that are more severe than regular flu symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.
- Medications: Oseltamivir is the most popular. Other drugs, such as baloxavir, that target different viral proteins can also be used, as certain avian flu viruses have exhibited resistance to oseltamivir.
Risk of Avian Flu Mutation in Humans
Genes in the avian flu virus can undergo a wide range of mutations, making them pathogenic with unpredictable transmission pathways to humans, Lin said. The surface proteins of certain avian flu viruses are able to bind to receptors on the surface of the human respiratory tract, resulting in infection. When highly pathogenic avian influenza infects humans, the mortality rate will become higher.
The researchers isolated a recombinant H5N6 avian flu virus from poultry capable of binding to avian and human receptors and is pathogenic and transmissible. The experiments found that all the mice infected with the virus died within a week. In addition, the virus can be transmitted through direct contact and through aerosols, which may pose a greater threat to human health.
Lin said avian flu has not spread sustainably in the population in the past, mainly because of the limited ability of the virus to spread through aerosols. However, if new viral strains break through this barrier, it will likely increase the risk of more rapid spread in the general public.
What Is Unusual About the Latest Influenza Epidemic?
Although the actual infection numbers in China remain unknown, Lin noted that certain measures taken by the authorities suggest this flu outbreak is unusual.
Current Status of Avian Flu in the US
Since last year, several states have seen cases of cattle infected with the H5N1 virus on farms. It has been reported that the H5N1 virus may survive in raw milk and beef products, and the public is advised to cook them before eating.
In addition, Lin suggested that local governments should improve their testing capacity for avian flu and not rely solely on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. At the same time, they should pay special attention to the epidemic status of the aquaculture industry.
Improve Immunity to Avoid Getting Sick
Lin warned that strains of the avian flu virus are constantly mutating, and highly pathogenic strains are gradually breaking through the species barrier, making transmission through humans more likely than before. Although it has not been confirmed that the virus is able to spread from human to human, if the virus achieves aerosol transmission and is accompanied by high pathogenicity in the future, the virus may rapidly adapt to the human host and accelerate its spread, which is a serious threat.
He stressed that despite the unclear development of the epidemic, it is crucial to prepare in advance. In particular, people should focus on improving their physical condition and immunity to strengthen their resistance to the virus.
