Following controversy over a possible bird flu pandemic, UK health authorities have suggested citizens maintain social distancing when in contact with wild birds. The US Sun reported.
The UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA) directive suggests that people should stay two meters away from birds, including common birds such as pigeons, swans and seagulls.
Together with the RSPCA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UKHSA sheds light on the fact that the risk of infection is lower when people refrain from touching any live birds, their droppings or dead birds.
On the one hand, the message of “social distancing” must be focused and this must refer to the need to maintain an adequate distance according to the recommendations.
Conversations about bird flu may increase due to the risks of causing widespread harm, as exemplified by high mortality rates in bird and mammal populations.
Although in the past avian flu predominantly affected poultry and wild birds, the possibility of its transmission to humans is a very serious problem, with average mortality rates of 60%.
As the world is experiencing a shortage of bird flu vaccines, it is clear that preventive measures must become a priority, and the government should consider making reserve flu vaccines available.
With one case of avian flu already recorded in the UK and recent major outbreaks of avian flu in the Far East, surveillance and compliance with safe practices are key elements of prevention and control measures related to zoonotic diseases.
