Russia said today that domestic scientists have notified the World health Organization (WHO) of the world’s first cases of human transmission of the H5N8 strain of avian influenza virus in its territory.
H5N8, a subtype of influenza A virus that is extremely deadly to wild birds and poultry, is not normally associated with humans, but Russia announced today that seven people have been found to be infected with H5N8.
Anna Popova, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Consumer Protection and Welfare Supervision (Rospotrebnadzor), noted in a televised conversation that “WHO has been informed about the first global transmission of H5N8 avian influenza.”
Officials said seven people were infected with H5N8 bird flu at a poultry farm in southern Russia. This is the first Time the highly pathogenic virus has been found in humans. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
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