Bird flu, or avian influenza, in humans is often thought to be contracted through close unprotected contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments, but a new study has found another potential pathway through which it can be transmitted.
Habitat destruction—such as through deforestation in coastal habitats—may be bringing migratory birds in closer proximity to communities, facilitating the spread of the disease between the wild flocks and humans, a new study found.
By studying 2,000 blood samples of people living in northern Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, the study, published in Nature Communications on Oct 17, found that poultry and non-poultry owners had antibodies to the H5 avian influenza. Along with statistical analyses, this suggested that for the study, there was no correlation between H5 exposure risk and contact with poultry.
Antibodies indicate past exposure to disease and can be used to understand what diseases people were previously exposed to, even if they were not diagnosed or ill.
The antibodies in these individuals reacted to the specific H5 virus strains that were found in wild birds, according to the study conducted by researchers from the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford, Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore.
No human case of the H5 flu had been reported in those areas.
Complementing environmental data on habitats and distribution of bird species, the researchers found these individuals with the antibodies were living close to migratory shorebird habitats.
Bird flu occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds like ducks and geese and shorebirds like plovers and sandpipers. They can easily infect domestic poultry like chickens through direct contact or through contact with surfaces contaminated with the viruses.
Esta historia es de la edición November 11, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 11, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT IN STICKY NOTES
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? @SUBWAYTHERAPY
Use of escalators ● Benefits to encouraging standing on both sides
The recent initiative by Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to encourage standing on both sides of escalators is a sensible move that Singapore could consider adopting.
Replies Rentals ● HDB reviewing how data accuracy can be improved
We thank Mr Foo Sing Kheng for his feedback (Rental rates ensure accuracy of data on HDB website, Oct 23).
Singer Karol G apologises for song said to sexualise minors
Colombian reggaeton star Karol G apologised on Nov 11 after her latest song, +57, was criticised for sexualising minors.
Mattel mistakenly lists porn site on packaging for Wicked dolls
All may be good in the Land of Oz, but the same cannot be said for the world of Mattel.
Singer G.E.M. to perform at National Stadium in March
Hong Kong singer G.E.M. is slated to hold a concert at the National Stadium on March 1, 2025.
Actress Megan Fox pregnant again after miscarriage
After a previous miscarriage, American actress Megan Fox is pregnant again. American rapper Machine Gun Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, is reportedly the father, according to US media.
Singer Yu Tian's son-in-law receives suspended jail sentence for scam involvement
Gary Chen, the son-in-law of famed Taiwanese singers Yu Tian and Li Ya-ping, has been given a suspended jail sentence for his involvement with a scam syndicate.
Irish pop band The Corrs to hold February concert
Irish pop quartet The Corrs will be back in Singapore for a concert at The Star Theatre on Feb 13, 2025.
A French veterinary psychiatrist puts cats on the couch in new book
Even dog people must admit that cats are having a moment.