H5N1 bird flu outbreak in South Africa: How dangerous is it, and what are the symptoms?

Time of India

4 days ago

After a months-long recovery from its worst bird flu outbreak in recent history, South Africa is once again facing a renewed threat. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed that two poultry farms—one in Tswaing (North West province) and another in Mkhondo (Mpumalanga province)—have reported outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.
According to a report, currently 1,150 poultry birds have died across the two sites—300 in Tswaing and 850 in Mkhondo.
These are South Africa's first confirmed cases of H5N1 since September 2023, when a wave of infections devastated the industry. That outbreak killed nearly a third of the country's chicken flock and cost the poultry sector an estimated R9.5 billion, creating severe shortages of eggs and chicken meat.
The impact was so widespread that it rattled the country's food security, with chicken accounting for 66% of all meat consumed in South Africa, according to the Bureau for Food & Agricultural Policy.
Global concerns are also rising: the United States continues to battle intermittent bird flu infections, and earlier this year, Brazil—one of the world's top poultry exporters—reported its first case of H5N1 on a commercial farm.
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What is H5N1 bird flu?
H5N1 is a strain of type A avian influenza virus, commonly referred to as bird flu. It primarily affects birds, especially farmed poultry such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese. However it can also, on rare occasions, infect humans.
The virus spreads through saliva, nasal secretions, feces, and contaminated surfaces like cages, feed, clothing, and farming equipment. It poses a serious threat to both poultry production and public health when not contained swiftly.
Although H5N1 can infect humans, it does not easily transmit from birds to humans and almost never spreads from person to person. As per a CDC data, since 1997, H5N1 virus have been reported in 23 countries since 1997 with a case fatality proportion of >50%, making the infection serious. For birds, it is more serious where a single outbreak can lead to the mass death or culling of entire flocks, often within days.
Symptoms of H5N1 infection in humans
While most people who contract H5N1 have had direct contact with infected poultry, the illness can escalate quickly.
The incubation period (the time between exposure and onset of symptoms) is typically 2 to 5 days, but can last up to a week.
In case of humans, early symptoms mimic those of seasonal flu and may include: fever above 100.4°F (38°C), persistent cough, muscle aches, fatigue and malaise, and sore throat or hoarseness.
However, in more severe cases, patients may experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, diarrhea or upset stomach, chest pain, difficulty breathing, altered mental state or seizures, and rapid respiratory failure.These symptoms can progress quickly, and many severe cases result in pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death if not treated immediately.
How does H5N1 spread?
Activities like slaughtering poultry, handling dead birds, visiting live animal markets, or even touching contaminated surfaces can result in transmission. The virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, mouth, or through inhalation of airborne particles from dried feces.
Importantly, cooked poultry and eggs do not transmit the virus, as long as they are cooked thoroughly—at least 165°F (74°C) for meat and until both yolks and whites are firm for eggs.
There is currently no routine vaccine for humans affected by H5N1, a few vaccines have been approved for people directly related with the industry such as poultry farm workers and veterinarians.