Avian influenza is currently seeing a spike heel in component part of the globe , with the UK environs delegacy lately harbinger that Britain is see itsworst outbreak on record . While wellness authorities are advising resident across the globe on how to forestall the spread of disease , military post on societal media have scientists worry as people comfort infected birds without personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .

As we see at the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic , which is thought to have spread from bat ( perhaps through an average innkeeper ) to humans , zoonotic diseases can become a public health issue . While human instance of avian influenza are uncommon , they do happen , such as a reportedcase from the UKearlier this twelvemonth .

Emmanuel the emu , much - loved TikTok star , has unfortunately been touched by the doll flu outbreak . His keepers are intelligibly very upset , but images of the Dromaius novaehollandiae being solace with hugs from human race without PPE has scientists worried .

“ If your emu ( or any bird ) has avian grippe , do not kiss it , ” said virologist Dr Angela Rasmussen onTwitter . “ Do not cuddle with it . Do not impact it . hiss influenza is passing dangerous to humans and other animals . ”

“ I am as captivated by Emmanuel the Emu as many on the on the internet & trust it recovers , but being side to face with a bird [ with ] avian flu is a high-risk idea , ” tweet Assistant Professor at Emory Healthcare , Dr Boghuma Kabisen Titanji , IDdocblog author and infectious diseases medical specialist . “ This is how zoonotic transmission occur , this is why entire farms cull grim birds . ”

Cases of human contagion are rare with few than 1,000 case reported globally since 2003 , but they are most common in mass who have even middleman with bird . Close contact lens is required for bird - to - man infection of avian influenza , which is why the official advice is to not touch sick or bushed birds .

instance have cropped up in unusual species in this latest outbreak , with the first - ever check ofbird flu in cetaceanscoming from dolphins and porpoises . To try and slow the spread in Britain , the UK government has introduced anAvian Influenza Prevention Zonelimiting who has access to situation housing heap of bird and regimented clothes changing and disinfection of potentially contaminate item and vehicles .

While some outbreaks hap among commercial-grade flocks , domestic ducky are also at risk and though view fauna we love suffer is implausibly painful , maintain a secure length is necessary for the trade protection of other fauna and human wellness .

For more information on avian influenza , visit theCenter for Disease Control and Prevention ’s website .