First suspected case of avian flu is identified and monitored in Brazil

The first suspected case of bird flu in humans in Brazil, in the capital Vitória, in the state of Espírito Santo. The possibly infected person is a 61-year-old man, an employee of the park where the first birds were found lying on the ground and dead. He would have had contact with some birds that were sick.

Another 32 people, including park employees, were also tested and the exams are being analyzed by the Central Public Health Laboratory (Lacen), of the Holy Spirit. A FIOCRUZ, which is a reference in Brazil in analysis of exams and diseases, will also examine the samples. There is still no defined time for the dissemination of the results of the sample, informs the Secretary of Health of Espírito Santo.

According to Ministry of Healththe man is isolated, with symptoms “light flu and in isolation”, says the note from the ministry on Wednesday night. In humans, until then, no case has been confirmed in Brazil to date.

In a note, the Ministry of Health says that “The transmission of the disease occurs through contact with sick birds, living or dead. And, according to what has been observed around the world, the virus does not easily infect humans, and when it does, person-to-person transmission is usually not sustained.”.

_{Wild birds in the municipal park of Vitória in Espírito Santo (Photo: reproduction/Twitter)}

The birds found fallen and dead were found in the capital Vitória and in the city of Marataízes, also in Espírito Santo. The bird found in the municipal park of Vitória has already had the test report confirmed positive for avian flu. The park is closed for public visitation, under the risk of transmission of the disease.

People who are under investigation and with the tests carried out, will be in isolation for about 10 days and are being monitored.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, (MAP), informs that the cases do not prevent Brazil from exporting poultry meat to other countries at the moment, and asks that no restrictions or bans be imposed on the international trade of Brazilian products. At the moment, the folder is in a state of alert for the disease.

Featured photo: Wild marine birds in a park in Espírito Santo with Influenza. Playback/Twitter