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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Human-to-human transmission of H3N8 avian flu 'extremely rare'—WHO official

Human-to-human transmission of H3N8 avian flu 'extremely rare'—WHO official

Published Apr 15, 2023 02:39 am
An official of the World Health Organization (WHO) said that person-to-person transmission of H3N8 avian influenza is “extremely rare.” WHO Western Pacific Region Emergency Director Dr. Babatunde Olowokure made the statement after three cases of H3N8 avian influenza were detected in China, wherein the third case has been reported as the first human death due to the said bird flu strain. “What we need to understand is that with these human cases of avian influenza transmission from person-to-person is extremely rare. And so therefore, the situation for humans  in this regard is that we need to remain vigilant,” said Olowokure in a press briefing on Friday, April 14. “We need to provide information regarding risks and most of that risks relate to sick, dying, or dead poultry and also their attendance at wet markets,” he added. Olowokure said that most human cases result from “individual cases having contact with dead or dying poultry.” The WHO is continuously monitoring the matter and is coordinating with other concerned organizations, said Olowokure. “We continue to work together....to ensure that we continue to monitor and able to respond should there be human cases of avian influenza,” he said. No cases of H3N8 avian influenza has been detected so far in the Philippines, said Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a recent media forum. “Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong naitatala, wala tayong nakikitaan  ng sintomas (So far, we haven't recorded any cases or anyone with symptoms),” said Vergeire. Vergeire assured the public that measures are in place. The DOH is also in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “Preventive measures are being implemented and we are doing adequate monitoring and surveillance not just from DOH but also from DA and DENR,” she said. “Nagkaroon na kami ng usapan noon (We already had a discussion before) that reports should be shared between and among our three agencies para nakikita natin yung trend ng pagkalat ng ganitong sakit (so that we can monitor the trend of the spread of this disease) and the possibility of the transmission from avian to humans,” she added.

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Avian influenza world health organization h3n8
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