An alert was issued to the Veterinary Services following a case of avian influenza detected in a goose at Athalassa Park. What do experts say about the risk of human infection, and what do they recommend to the public?
Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, Dimitris Epameinondas, President of the Pan-Cyprian Veterinary Association, clarified that humans do not contract the flu in the same way that birds do.
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It should be noted that the person who found the bird was informed as early as Friday by the relevant authorities that, based on the test results, the goose had been infected with avian influenza. However, it was only yesterday that the Veterinary Services announced the detection of the case.
Mr. Epameinondas explained that the avian influenza virus is divided into two different types of strains, depending on their pathogenicity. As he noted, there is a low-pathogenicity type and a high-pathogenicity type. It was confirmed on Friday that the virus is avian influenza; however, it took a few days to determine whether it was low-pathogenic or high-pathogenic and to issue the necessary announcements. The identification was made on Monday afternoon, and by Tuesday morning the necessary announcements had been issued.
When asked whether avian flu can be transmitted to humans, Mr. Epameinondas explained that the likelihood of human infection is quite low, since the flu primarily affects birds. The main concern for humans, he noted, is not so much whether symptoms develop—since they are very mild in the event of infection—but rather the possibility of a new strain emerging through mutations.
According to Mr. Epaminondas’s statements, it is currently estimated that no restrictive measures need to be taken regarding the park. However, he urged the public to avoid visiting the park for at least 15 days, since the virus’s incubation period is up to eight days. He also emphasized that there is no need to fear consuming animal products, stressing that there is no risk.
“There is no reason for any additional concern.”
