Health officials in the U.s have on Wednesday confirmed the first severe case of bird flu causing a spike in online search of ‘Bird flu symptoms.’
The health officials have so far confirmed more the 60 cases of the flu across the country with nearly all of them causing mild illness.
The news caused a spike of up to 500 percent on Google with uses trying to understand the symptom of the virus that has since caused panic among many.
“Symptoms of H5N1 bird flu may include fever — or feeling feverish and chills — and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and tiredness,” said CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Denisse Vega Ocasio
Those who experience any of the symptoms has been advised to quickly contact the health department or a community health clinic as advised by CDC.
It is not the first time the U.S has confirmed a bird flue infection caused by birds, poultry and diary cows, things have been normal until when the first severe case was reported in Louisiana.
The first severe case was linked with over 65 people who had underlying medical issues and had come into contact with sick and dead birds. They were taken in critical condition with severe respiratory symptoms confirmed.
CDC however claims that the H5N1 mainly affects animals as no person to person spread has been detected so far.
“This case does not change CDC’s overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public’s health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low.” they said
