Bird flu claims first human life in Nepal

KATHMANDU, May 2: Bird flu has claimed the life of a 21-year old man in Kavrepalanchowk district.

This is the first time the H5N1 and HPAI virus has killed a human in Nepal, according to Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, Chief of Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku.

Ministry of Health, organizing a press conference informed about the death of the 21-year-old by Bird flu. The deceased’s name has been kept confidential.

He had gone to Teku Hospital on March 24 complaining of fever and cough. He was detected Bird flu positive when his saliva was sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for a test. His DNA and blood samples were then sent to Japan for validation. On April 30, Japan confirmed he was killed by H5N1 virus.

Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is a viral infection that can infect not only birds but also humans and other animals.

H5N1 is the most common form of bird flu, and is deadly to birds and can easily affect humans and other animals that come in contact with a carrier.

According to the World Health Organization, H5N1 was first discovered in humans in 1997 and has killed nearly 60 percent of those infected.