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Healthy birds could spread AI
A recent Chinese study has shown that it may be
possible for humans to become infected with avian influenza through contact with
apparently healthy live birds.
The researchers' findings suggest that food markets or farmers' markets
that have live poultry may be a source for
avian
influenza infection, with healthy live birds carrying the virus.
This information is in contrast to general warnings given across the globe
that people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
The study showed that a patient may have been infected with highly
pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 at a food market that had live birds in
Guangzhou, in People's Republic of China. In spite of birds appearing healthy,
virus genes were detected in a goose cage at the market, and one person in the
poultry business at the market had a neutralising antibody against H5N1.
According to the researchers, this case from Guangzhou is not an isolated
event. Five patients with H5N1 infection with no history of exposure to diseased
or dead birds before the onset of avian influenza have been reported in the
People's Republic of China; four of these visited markets that had live
birds.
Editor WorldPoultry
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