Although experts are already predicting the end of the pandemic, it is still an integral part of all our lives. However, it is not our only problem.
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Science inevitably expects another pandemic to follow and is already preparing for the next deadly virus. Now, the first person in the world has contracted a new type of bird flu.
The world's first case in China
On 28 May, doctors diagnose bird flu type H10N3 in a 41-year-old man, who came to the hospital at the end of April with several symptoms, including fever.
However, the National Health Commission soon gave the all-clear, because the man from Jiangsu province in eastern China was an exception. He was stable and was soon allowed to leave the hospital.
Not much of a threat to humans
According to the health authorities, this specific subtype of the avian flu virus is low pathogenic, so it poses no particular threat to humans.
According to the Chinese authorities, the spread of the virus will be limited. Even the actual illness, should one become infected, will be mild.
Very much a threat to birds and poultry
It is not currently known how this man contracted the disease. But his immediate surroundings also seem to have been spared. The greatest danger comes from the virus strain for birds.
In 2016 and 2017, the bird flu type H7N9 caused a stir in the world because it was particularly contagious for humans and killed around 300 unfortunate people.
Today, many subtypes of this virus exist around the world. A few months ago, Russia reported the first infection with the H5N8 variant. It had already spread, with little to no notice.
In Denmark, 19,000 breeding geese and ducks are now to be killed to prevent the spread of the virus. The variant can also be transmitted to humans.
