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| - Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that there is a new mystery virus from China spreading around the world. We did the fact check, and found out the claim to be false.
The Claim
As per a post on X, “Yet another virus from China spreading around the world. Why do nearly all viruses start in China? Is it a coincidence or something else? And if it’s something else, what is it?”
Fact Check
Is it true that there is a new mystery virus from China?
No, there is no such mystery virus from China spreading around the world. We did a Google search and could not find any recent news suggesting that there is a new virus outbreak from China. We looked for recent news in the month of April, 2024.
After searching the website of WHO we found that there was an update about Avian Influenza A(H10N5). World Health Organisation officially updated, “On January 27, 2024, China’s National Health Commission told the WHO about a person who got sick with two types of flu at the same time: one from birds (called avian influenza A (H10N5)) and another regular one (called seasonal influenza A(H3N2)). This was the first time this kind of bird flu had been seen in a person anywhere in the world. The person was a woman over 60 years old who was a farmer living in Xuancheng Prefecture, Anhui Province. She already had other health problems and started feeling sick on November 30, 2023. Sadly, she died on December 16, 2023.”
Who is the claimant?
After looking into the profile which shared this information we found out that the bio contained, “Truth/democracy/equality are good things. China/Russia/North Korea/Iran are an axis of evil.” This kind of hateful language in the profile bio indicates extremism and propaganda against China.
A simple scrolling through the account is enough to deduce that the claimant is constantly sharing news against China.
As mentioned before, there isn’t any unknown mystery virus from China spreading globally. If that really was the case, the WHO would have released a statement. The WHO would never leave an outbreak unlisted on their website, as is evident from this case. Even a single case has been registered and updated on their official website.
What is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a type of flu that mainly affects birds, especially poultry like chickens and ducks. Sometimes, these viruses can spread to humans, usually through close contact with infected birds or their droppings. In humans, avian influenza can cause symptoms similar to regular flu, such as fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. In some cases, it can lead to severe illness or even death. It’s important to monitor outbreaks of avian influenza closely to prevent its spread and protect both animal and human health.
How does bird flu spread?
As discussed earlier, there is no such mystery virus from China spreading globally. With that being said, one should still be aware of the ways that bird flu spreads. Here is a list making everything clear:
Bird flu, or avian influenza, primarily spreads among birds through:
- Direct contact with infected birds.
- Contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus.
Human infections with bird flu can occur through:
- Close contact with infected birds.
- Exposure to environments contaminated with the virus.
Human-to-human transmission of bird flu:
- Rarely occurs.
- Usually requires close and prolonged contact with an infected individual.
- Typically happens in isolated cases or limited outbreaks.
How to prevent bird flu?
It’s essential to prevent bird flu to reduce the risk of transmission from birds to humans. Here are some key steps to prevent bird flu:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling poultry or visiting farms or markets.
- Cook poultry products, such as chicken and eggs, thoroughly to kill any viruses.
- Avoid visiting live poultry markets or farms, especially during outbreaks.
- Protect yourself properly, such as using gloves and masks, if you work with poultry.
- Follow guidelines from health authorities during bird flu outbreaks for additional preventive measures.
How is bird flu tested?
Bird flu is tested by taking a throat swab from the patient. This sample is then tested to determine if the avian flu virus is present.
Can a person suffering from influenza suffer from avian flu at the same time?
Yes, it’s possible. Contracting influenza or receiving a flu shot for human strains doesn’t safeguard against avian flu. Still, individuals at high risk, such as healthcare workers, should prioritise vaccination against human influenza to minimise their vulnerability to at least one strain.
What are the signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans?
The signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans include cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, pneumonia, and other complications (difficulty breathing, chest pain & respiratory failure).
Is there a vaccine for humans against bird flu?
No, there is currently no vaccine for humans against bird flu. The vaccine for human influenza does not provide protection against bird flu.
What is the treatment for bird flu?
The treatment for bird flu involves isolation and rest, either at home or in a hospital setting, if necessary. Antiviral medications may be prescribed to help ease symptoms, reduce the severity of the condition, prevent complications, and improve the chances of recovery. These antiviral drugs are also administered to individuals who have been in close contact with infected birds or people, such as family members or healthcare personnel.
We have fact checked several false claims earlier as well. Can synthetic drugs cause multiple organ failure and heart attacks? Has Japan declared an emergency over the ‘explosion of mRNA cancers’? Is Tyson Foods adding insects to meat products? Has the German government admitted there was no Pandemic?
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