The European Commission has confirmed the first human case of avian influenza within the EU, identified in a patient in Lombardy, Italy.
First Case in Italy and the EU
This marks the first instance of human avian flu infection diagnosed in both Italy and the European Union.
Patient Details and Virus Strain
According to epidemiologist Gianni Rezza, the infection involves the A(H9N2) avian influenza virus. He emphasized that this case doesn’t trigger significant alarm, as it is an isolated, imported case caused by a strain considered less aggressive than H5N1.
Travel History and Contact Tracing
The patient recently traveled from Africa. Health authorities have tested individuals who had contact with the patient, including healthcare workers, family members, and fellow passengers, with all results negative, indicating no human-to-human transmission.
EU Assessment of Risk
The European Commission states the risk to the general public remains very low. While avian flu can be asymptomatic in humans, symptoms can be severe in some cases.
Vaccination and Global Data
Vaccines against avian flu are available, typically recommended for those working with poultry or in frequent contact with birds. Over the past two decades, 195 human cases of avian flu have been reported globally in 10 Asian and African countries, with two resulting in fatalities.