The National Institute of Health (INS) gave a reassurance report regarding highly pathogenic influenza in humans. According to the entity, 536 cases of severe Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) unusual in humans have been studied, thus ruling out an infection by avian influenza A (H5N1 and H5N2).
“To date, we have not confirmed cases of influenza A(H5N1) in humans. The INS maintains active community and institutional searches in coordination with the ICA. The result of this is that between 2022 and 2023, We have collected, processed and discarded 273 samples in our INS National Reference Laboratory from people who were in contact with sick, dead birds or in direct contact with surfaces contaminated with feces and who showed mild symptoms.”explained the director of the INS, Giovanny Rubiano García.
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However, in Colombia dozens of outbreaks of highly pathogenic influenza have been identified in different birds. According to what was reported by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), 65 outbreaks were recorded in 60 backyard birds and five wild birds between 2022 and 2023.
These infected animals were found in Córdoba, with 23 cases; Nariño, with nine cases; Chocó, with seven cases; Magdalena, with six; Bolívar, Cartagena and Sucre, with five each; Cauca, with three; and Atlántico, with two. The outbreaks found are closed and so far in 2024, no new outbreaks of infection have been reported in the country.
In this sense, health authorities continue to carry out a process of monitoring the risk of transmission of the virus from animals to humans, which consists of monitoring people who live in infection focus areas. Likewise, rigorous control is carried out on cases of unusual severe ARI, as detailed by the INS public health surveillance director, Franklyn Prieto.
The entity does not let its guard down regarding avian influenza because the first case of death in humans in the world due to this flu has already been reported. “After it was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), last Wednesday, June 5, the first case of death in humans due to infection with the highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N2) virus, in a 59-year-old man in Mexico, these surveillance actions will continue and remain active“, the INS stated in the statement.
For this reason, the entity asked health professionals to request a viral panel for the ARI cases they treat, especially if the patients are from the agricultural industry, health workers, veterinarians, from the environmental sector or who have underlying diseases.
On the other hand, the director of the INS reported that, so far, there have been no cases of infection by the Oropuche virus in which it is evident that the infection has passed from one person to another. He recalled that it is transmitted through the bites of culicoid insects and the patients who have been treated in Colombia have been under surveillance to verify that their health conditions do not go from mild to serious..
“The measures for the prevention and control of infection caused by the Oropuche virus are maintained and are linked to the surveillance and prevention actions that we currently use to control dengue,” he explained.
Throughout the country, 38 cases of patients infected with the virus have been reported, which, according to the official, is not new in Colombia and is endemic.. Of the total, 35 were identified in the Amazon and in Valle del Cauca, Caquetá and Meta. None of the affected people have had complications.
