H5N1, the path of the virus that circled the Earth – Liberation

Since its discovery in Hong Kong in 1997, bird plague has decimated entire populations of birds, both on the move and due to human activities. If the strain evolves to become more virulent, human-to-human transmission will remain impossible.

Like an atmosphere of déjà vu, it is the story of a virus spotted in China that is spreading across the planet. In 1997, “bird plague” infected thousands of poultry and 18 people, including children, in Hong Kong. In total, there will be six human deaths and one and a half million chickens will be slaughtered. The disease is caused by a type A influenza virus that was discovered on a goose farm. It was soon named H5N1, after two proteins on its surface: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). At the time, the World Health Organization made this clear“Before May 1997, H5N1 was thought to only infect various species of birds, including chickens and ducks.”

The first human victims were observed by specialists around the world. “The matter is being taken seriously. Most of the injured were young and in good health. recalls Sylvie van der Werf, professor of virology at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. A decision is being taken to slaughter animals on a large scale in Hong Kong. A measure issued to prevent the virus from spreading too quickly. This will slow the spread of the virus for six years.

“Along the Trans-Siberian Railway”

In 2003, the H5N1 virus emerged