Terrifying new strain of bird flu that kills nearly HALF of those who contract it discovered in China amid fears of new global pandemic‘DISEASE X’ FEARS
The newly formed virus, named H7N9, has killed over 600 people in China
A NEW strain of deadly bird flu which kills 38 per cent of those infected and could spark a global pandemic has been identified in China.
Scientists around the world believe the new pathogen, dubbed “Disease X”, could be as lethal as 1918 Spanish flu which killed up to 100million people.
EPA
A new strain of bird flu has killed hundreds in China and could spark a worldiwde outbreak. File picture
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, told The Telegraph that virus H7N9, which is circulating poultry in China, could cause a global outbreak.
He said: “[H7N9] is an example of another virus which has proven its ability to transmit from birds to humans.
“It’s possible that it could be the cause of the next pandemic.”
In China, the deadly pathogen has killed 623 of the 1,625 people which have been infected.
AFP - Getty
H7N9, which currently cannot be spread from person to person, could prove as deadly as Spanish flu, experts claim. File picture
How can you prevent bird flu?
The NHS reveal ways you can avoid contracting bird flu:
avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
avoid contact with surfaces that are contaminated with bird droppings
don’t pick up or touch birds (dead or alive)
don’t eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
don’t bring any live poultry products back to the UK, including feathers
always practise good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly
While the virus cannot yet be passed from person to person, experts believe it is only three mutations away from being able to spread from human contact.
The symptoms of H7N9 include a high fever, cough and shortness of breath which can then develop into pneumonia.
Once the disease has developed, those infected develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and organ failure.
Older people, pregnant women and those with existing health problems are most at risk, according to the World Health Organization.
Bird flu can spread to people when they have direct contact with the infection.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/2790957/terrifying-new-strain-of-bird-flu-that-kills-nearly-half-of-those-who-contract-it-discovered-in-china-amid-fears-of-new-global-pandemic/
