Q. Consider the following statements about H5N5 influenza virus:
1.There has not been a single case of transmission of this virus into humans.
2.It is a subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus that primarily infects birds.
3.Unlike other H5 avian influenza subtypes, H5N5 has already shown sustained human‑to‑human transmission, leading WHO to declare it a global pandemic.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation: 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: H5N5 bird flu has claimed its first human life in Washington recently.
Statement 2 is correct: H5N5 is a subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus that primarily infects birds, but has caused sporadic outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild birds in several countries.
Statement 3 is incorrect: There is currently no evidence of sustained human‑to‑human transmission or a pandemic declaration for H5N5; such concern mainly relates to other H5 subtypes like H5N1.
Source: DTE
