The professor assured that, given the experience gained with the Covid-19 pandemic, it is necessary to work to prevent the progression of an H5N1 avian flu epidemic, that is, one should not wait for the virus to be transmitted to humans becomes.
Ponce de León, a specialist at the University’s Epidemiological and Emerging Risk Research Program, recalled that the Pan American Health Organization issued an epidemiological alert for the Americas region on March 13, after the presence of the virus was reported in 16 countries.
This means building capacity, anticipating the availability of inputs, identifying onset as early as possible, educating the population, and communicating the information clearly.
For now, he assured, there is no cause for concern, but for the first time in the experience of developing H5N1 infection in birds, there is worldwide transmission.
In America there has been infection in birds and transmission to mammals, which was not common. There are only a few steps left in this puzzle, which is why he recommended tracking down the H5N1 to be ready and have a task ahead of time, the expert predicted.
He emphasized that when talking about pandemics, one must keep in mind that as human growth creates new interactions, environmental changes such as temperature, humidity and deforestation alter the ecological balance between birds, monkeys, pigs and mosquitoes.
Speaking to academics and bioethicists gathered in the Aula Magna of UNAM’s Philological Research Institute, he stressed that population density and mobility are creating new modes of transmission and distorting state priorities based on investment and profit.
He advised that in the health-disease process, we need to reinterpret our perception of how microorganisms interact. The microbial universe and evolution determine risks in constant change, and it is inappropriate to continue to assume an anthropocentric vision.
Our life on earth must be designed according to species, in cooperation, competition or the best possible balance with the other species, and the state has a duty to prepare us to improve conditions and change what we experience.” , he finally explained .the university academic.
the pandemic.
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