To date, there have been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, and “there is no cause for concern” among the public following the detection of the virus in a wild bird at the lake in the Athalassa National Forest Park, Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Dr. Petros Karagiannis told CNA.
Responding to CNA regarding the possibility of the virus mutating if it infects a human, Mr. Karagiannis said that “nothing of the sort has been observed.”
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“It’s unlikely that a mutation would occur. Usually, in the case of the influenza virus, the virus exchanges genetic material with other viruses,” he explained.
READ ALSO: A case of avian flu was detected in a goose at Athalassa Park | AlphaNews
He also noted that no mutation has been observed that would make the virus more easily transmissible from person to person.
“We haven’t seen any change for the worse—that is, nothing that would make it spread more easily to humans or from person to person—and the latter hasn’t been observed at all,” he said.
According to Petros Karagiannis, “humans are dead-end hosts,” noting that “no further transmission has been observed, and we hope things will stay that way.”
READ ALSO: Second goose found dead in Athalassa Park: How bird flu spreads to humans | AlphaNews
“There is no cause for concern” regarding Athalassa
Referring to the H5N1 case detected in a wild bird at Athalassa Lake, Mr. Karagiannis struck a reassuring tone, emphasizing that the risk to humans from this specific incident is very limited.
“There is a risk to humans, of course, but transmission occurs not so much from wild birds as from domestic birds,” he said.
As he explained, transmission to humans mainly affects people who have close contact with domestic birds, particularly on poultry farms.
“It usually affects people who work there and do not wear the appropriate protective clothing, gloves, masks, protective goggles, and shoe covers to protect their footwear,” he said.
How Can Domestic Birds Become Infected?
When asked how often the virus is transmitted from wild to domestic birds, Mr. Karagiannis said that it “depends,” noting that there is no specific data on the frequency.
As he explained, if poultry on farms are raised outdoors, there is a possibility that an infected wild bird could come into contact with their feed.
“If it is infected and sheds secretions, the poultry may become infected in this way,” he said.
For this reason, he added, “in such cases, it is recommended that poultry be raised indoors to avoid these problems.”
READ ALSO: Bird Flu: What Experts Say About the Risk of Transmission to Humans and What They Recommend to the Public | AlphaNews
Second dead duck found in the area
Regarding reports of a possible second case in Athalassa, Mr. Karagiannis confirmed that another dead duck has been found, though testing on it has not yet been completed.
When asked whether the emergence of a second case should be cause for concern, he was categorical, stating that “there is no cause for concern.”
As he explained, the birds are in an open area, and the presence of the virus in the region may be linked to the movement of wild birds.
“Wild birds, while migrating to warmer regions, stop somewhere to drink water or eat. Consequently, they may leave the virus behind—either through their droppings or their secretions—at that specific location, and that is how these ducks may become infected,” he said.
Regarding Athalassa, he said that “there is no problem,” since it is an open and vast area.
It is not known whether the virus is already circulating more widely in Cyprus
When asked whether the incidents at Athalassa are isolated cases or if there are indications that the virus is already circulating in Cyprus, Mr. Karagiannis said, “We don’t know.”
“That will become clear if we suddenly start seeing other dead birds elsewhere,” he said.
He expressed hope that this is an isolated incident.
“There is no danger” to visitors
Regarding the safety of visitors to the Athalassa National Forest Park, Mr. Karagiannis reiterated that there is no cause for concern.
“There is no danger, in my opinion. If they avoid the lake for the next few days, then they will be completely safe,” he said.
When asked if anyone visiting Athalassa today is at risk, he replied, “No.”
“They are not at risk because it is an open area,” he said.
Source: CNA
