The on-going threat of the H5N1 bird flu strain took a twist this month as reports began to emerge of a spread to mammals.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that four otters and five foxes died after catching the virus. The animals mentioned are known to eat carrion and it is believed that the mammals became infected after scavenging on dead birds which were killed by avian influenza. Even so the rise of another zoonotic virus that could make the leap to man is causing some disquiet.
However the UKHSA said that at present there are no indicators of increasing risk to human health.
Watch this space though.
Since writing this, the WHO jas become concerned about cases spreading in Cambodia. It sounds a bit ominous.
