GPs urged to be on alert as H5 bird flu spreads

GPs must remain on alert and vigilant of their patients following the detection of H5 bird flu in Australia, the RACGP has urged.
 
Five cases of H5 bird flu have now been detected in wild birds in Australia, four in Western Australia and one in South Australia, as well as a suspected case in New South Wales announced on Friday,
 
The cases mark the first time this H5 sub-type (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b) has been found in animals in Australia.
 
Globally, the subtype has caused mass mortality in poultry, wild birds and sea mammals.
 
In response, the Federal Government and Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have updated their advice, confirming ‘the risk to human health remains low’.
 
‘Bird flu in people is rare and often mild but can cause severe disease or death. Spread from person-to-person is very rare,’ the CDC said.
 
‘There have been no human cases of bird flu caused by influenza A virus sub-type H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in Australia.’
 
But RACGP President Dr Michael Wright says it is important that GPs remain on alert.
 
‘Now the virus has arrived, it needs to be put on GPs’ radar,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘If you see someone potentially who has been handling these birds, particularly in WA, we need to be on alert.’
 
While some infected people have no symptoms, others are impacted by fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, conjunctivitis, muscle aches and pains, headache, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the CDC.
 
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually start about one to 10 days after being infected.
 
People can become infected if they breathe in contaminated dust or air, or touch an infected animal, their body fluids or something contaminated with the virus, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
 
Professor of Immunology at Murdoch University Cassandra Berry said the detection of the sub-type in Australia ‘doesn’t necessarily mean that the next pandemic has started’.
 
‘Contraction of H5N1 influenza in human’s usually requires close contact with sick or dying birds. So, it is cautionary to be alert and stay away from distressed birds,’ she said.
 
‘Although human-to-human transmission has occurred in other countries, it is rare.
 
‘Bird-to-human transmission has been associated with a high fatality (~60%). There have been nearly 1000 cases of human H5N1 infection reported over the last three decades, since H5N1 jumped the species barrier in 1997.’
 
The Federal Government is urging anyone who notices sick or dead birds or other animals not to touch them. If there are multiple dead birds or other animals, take photos or a video, record the location and report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
 
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Government has invested more than $113 million to strengthen Australia’s preparedness against the flu.
 
‘The Australian Government is well prepared for a potential outbreak of H5 bird flu, with well-established national response arrangements in place to respond to emergency animal diseases, including H5 bird flu,’ she said.
 
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