Human race is always close to major disasters due to human-animal-bird conflicts: Dr Ishwar Gilada

Mumbai: Looking at how viruses behave and trend of zoonotic infections that have caused outbreaks and epidemics like Ebola, Zika, Nipah, HIV, SARS, HMPV, Covid-19 during the last four decades, the human race is always close to major disasters due to human-animal-bird conflicts, said Dr Ishwar Gilada.

“It is a clear trend of viral infections that are mostly zoonotic diseases - animal to human transmission – and then human to human transmission. Viruses could mutate for easier transmission. Hence the need for monitoring and controlling outbreaks in the poultry population in case of H5N1 is all the more important, in addition to avoiding over-intrusion in animal habitats,” said Dr Gilada, President Emeritus, AIDS Society of India and Governing Council Member, International AIDS Society.

However, Dr Gilada, an infectious diseases expert, said that no one has the right to create psycho-terrorism with “hypothetical pandemic”.

Dr Gilada’s statement comes in the wake of recent cases of H5N1 Bird-flu death, first in the USA and 44th in Cambodia which has sent shock-waves among the health officials globally.

On the emerging situation, he said: “No doubt that human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A, H5N1 virus that primarily cause bird flu, has high potential for severe respiratory infection as well as high mortality, with over 50% among around 1000 human cases worldwide. But the biggest solace is that human to human transmission is extremely rare and almost not heard of; which has spared the human race from a big H5N1-disaster.”

In humans we see seasonal flu; which is mainly due to Influenza A or Influenza B. “Whereas, infection with Influenza B is mild, Influenza A has H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes that are more pathogenic. We also

commonly see Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as also Human Meta-Pneumo Virus (HMPV) infections. Influenza A also causes Avian (birds) Flu, Swine Flu (pigs), Equine flu (horses), Canine flu (dogs) and Bat Flu among others. Some infections are zoonotic and they get transmitted to humans. Recently there were three deaths among tigers and one in leopards in Maharashtra due to H5N1,” said Dr Gilada, who is based in Mumbai.

“H5N1 virus is a subtype of influenza type A that affects birds and causes Avian Influenza. Though this infection can crossover to humans, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of this virus. There are 939 confirmed human cases of H5N1 with deaths of 464 people reported to the WHO since 2003 till date,” he said. 

Dr Gilada pointed out that  panic is not called for. “Media should portray science with reality checks. Expose the sinister designs, if

any, including that of commercial exploitation using such any propaganda. Scare-mongers should be dealt appropriately with iron hands. Government and Medical associations should issue immediate

advisory to people on veracity of such claims and take steps to stop panic,” he added.

On the issue of preparedness, he said: “There is no second thought on pandemic preparedness that is required at global, national, state and local level all over the world. Pandemic preparedness should even go beyond and become emergency preparedness that encompasses all the man-made and natural catastrophes too, that includes heat-wave, wild-fire that is currently showing its worst-ever impact in Los Angeles and other impacts of global warming.”