Man who survived bird flu after it killed his brother says his ‘whole skull was throbbing'
The virus, also known as H5N1, is spreading across the U.S. and global health chiefs on Tuesday warned of an impending pandemic.
The present outbreak which began in 2022 has affected hundreds of millions of birds on farms across all 50 states and more than 1,000 dairy cow herds.
There have been 70 human cases in the U.S., including one confirmed death, although these victims are thought to have caught the virus from animals.
Experts also expressed concern after the world's first case of bird flu in sheep was detected on a farm in England last month.
But one victim who survived bird flu has spoken about the possibility that, as the virus continues to spread, that it could also transmit between people.
Nguyen Thanh Hung, from Hanoi, contracted the virus during a bird flu outbreak that swept Southeast Asia in 2005, infecting 44 people and killing 32.
The car salesman with a passion for long-distance running fell ill aged 42 after nursing his sick brother in hospital.
His ordeal began when he attended the funeral of his brother's son, and the family sat down to a meal of raw duck's blood soup, which is a local delicacy.
Two days later, his brother developed a headache and breathing problems, and was taken to hospital.
Hung rushed to his bedside, and stayed with him for the following five days as his condition steadily worsened.
Struggling to breathe, he was put into intensive care, and given oxygen. But his brother kept on removing the oxygen mask, forcing Hung to lean across his body to replace it.
He said: 'I was about 1ft from his face.'
Days after Hung's brother died he also began suffering symptoms.
X-rays revealed 'an ominous white shadow' on his lung and, when his temperature soared, he was admitted to the same hospital his brother died in.
'My whole skull was throbbing. I felt like I was going colorblind and the walls were pressing in on me.'
Lab tests then confirmed he had contracted H5N1. He recalled: 'I was quite scared at first, but by then I was starting to feel better.
'The fever and pain were over and I thought to myself, 'I'm through the worst'.
Despite this, it was another ten days before Hung was well enough to be discharged.
It is unclear exactly how he picked up the virus. It could have been the raw duck blood soup, but Hung insisted he barely touched it.
More worrying is the possibility that he picked it up while nursing his brother in hospital, as it would provide proof the infection can transmit from human to human.
There is currently no evidence the disease is spreading between people.
However experts have recently warned that the virus could be mutating to become more transmissible to humans.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said: 'The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low despite this case.
'We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur.
'Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission. People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds and it's important that they follow Defra advice about reporting any suspected avian influenza cases.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
An expert guide to getting to sleep during the heatwave
Britain is bracing for its fourth heatwave of the summer, with health alerts issued across the country as temperatures are forecast to reach 34C. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of potentially fatal consequences, implementing heat health warnings for all of England. An amber alert, signifying significant impacts on health and social care, is in effect until Wednesday for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East. The rest of the nation remains under a yellow warning. The agency highlighted concerns over increased pressure on services and a potential rise in fatalities, particularly among individuals aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions. As everyone knows, sleeping in the heat can be tough. However, with these tried-and-tested tips, a practical round-up of things to do, and some cooling product picks, the experts at bed specialist Dreams have you backed… The right bedding The foundation of a cool night's sleep is choosing the right materials for your mattress and bedding… Experts at Dreams recommend switching to breathable, moisture-wicking bedding made with temperature-regulating technology. Indeed, temperature-control cooling bedding, mattresses and pillows deliver exceptional cooling comfort, suggests Hannah Hayden, junior buyer at Dreams. She says the combination of cooling internal fillings and a gel-infused foam provides an instant refreshing sensation. 'Helping you to drift off naturally.' 'These mattresses also include natural anti-bacterial protection to reduce allergies and prevent odours, ensuring your sleep environment stays fresh over time.' To complete your cooling sleep system, she suggests breathable cooling pillow protectors and mattress toppers. 'Both designed to enhance airflow and are moisture-wicking, for year-round comfort.' How to stay cool at night Simple strategies to help you beat the heat… 'Warmer weather can make quality sleep harder to achieve, as the room needs to be at around 16-18°C for optimum comfort and rest,' explains Dreams' resident sleep expert, Sammy Margo. 'Even slight temperature increases can disrupt this, so it's important to prioritise sleep hygiene,' highlights Margo. Here, she shares some smart tips to stay comfortable and well-rested throughout the summer… Sleep solo or adopt the starfish position: 'Sharing a bed can double the body heat, making it harder to stay cool during warmer nights.' 'One simple but effective solution is the Scandinavian sleep method, using two separate duvets, which allows each person to regulate their own temperature and reduce overheating,' suggests Margo. If possible, she says to also try spreading out. 'Ideally sleeping in a more open position, such as the starfish position, to allow maximum airflow around your body.' Freeze your bedding: 'Place your pillowcase, or even your top sheet, in the freezer for a few minutes before bedtime – the chill won't last all night, but it's a great way to ease into sleep.' 'For an extra cooling boost, try popping your pyjamas or an eye mask in the freezer too!' Or, for a longer-lasting cool that doesn't require any prep, she suggests trying a memory foam ice pillow, which are designed to stay refreshingly cool through the night, without needing to be frozen. Chill your skincare: 'If you use beauty products such as facial sprays, toners, or moisturisers, consider storing them in the fridge,' says Margo. 'Applying chilled products to your skin may help soothe and refresh you, especially on hot and sticky nights. Plus, it can feel like a mini spa treatment before bed,' she adds. Block out heat during the day: 'Prevent your bedroom from turning into a greenhouse by blocking out direct sunlight during the day,' advises Margo. 'Use blackout curtains or blinds to help keep the heat at bay and reduce overall room temperature.' She continues. 'Keeping windows closed during the hottest parts of the day, and only opening them once the air cools in the evening, can also make a noticeable difference.' Take a lukewarm shower before bed: 'Not cold – lukewarm,' underlines Margo. 'While it might seem obvious to take a cold shower to cool down before bed, it's surprisingly not the most effective option. 'A lukewarm shower helps lower your core body temperature gradually when you step out of it, triggering your body's natural cooling process and promoting relaxation,' she explains. 'Which in turn may make it easier to fall asleep comfortably.' For more sleep-related tips and expert advice to help you get a good night's sleep in the heat, visit Dreams Sleep Matters Club.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK official warning as Brits told avoid this between 11 and 3 today
An amber heat health alert is in place for several areas of England Brits have been warned to avoid the sun between specific hours over the coming days amid an amber heat health alert. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that temperatures are expected to exceed 30C in certain areas, leading to 'serious' health risks. The amber heat health warning is in place from today (August 12) until tomorrow evening for five parts of England. This alert means ' weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service'. Those aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions are also particularly vulnerable, according to experts. Areas with the heat alert in place are the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, London, and East of England. In addition, the North West and North East regions, as well as the South West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions are under a yellow heat health alert. Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said: 'Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England. 'These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions - so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. 'If you have friends, family or neighbours who are vulnerable, it is important to ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice. Check in on them if you can to make sure they know that hot weather is on the way and how to keep themselves safe.' As part of the UKHSA advice for staying safe in hot weather, people have been told to keep out of the sun at the 'hottest time of the day' - between 11am and 3pm. Other guidance includes: Keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly If you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening Knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Symptoms Before it progresses into heatstroke, the warning signs of heat exhaustion include: Tiredness Dizziness Headache Feeling sick or being sick Cramps in the arms, legs, and stomach Excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy, or getting a heat rash Fast breathing or heartbeat A high temperature Being very thirsty Weakness Still feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids a very high temperature Having hot skin that's not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin) A fast heartbeat Fast breathing or shortness of breath Confusion and lack of coordination A seizure or fit Loss of consciousness
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK weather: Urgent health warning in five regions as heatwave hits
High-levels warnings have come into force for five areas as the UK melts amid a 36c heatwave with Brits warned of the "significant impact" from the searing temperatures. London, West Midlands, East Midlands, the South East and East of England are now under a heat health alert as of 9am this morning. It will remain in place until 6pm on Wednesday 13, with a yellow alert now issued for the North West and North East for the same period. The new warning from the UK Health Security Agency says impacts are "likely" across health and social care services as a result, including a potential "rise in deaths". Temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-30s in parts of the UK over the next 24 hours. It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body. The Met Office warn that the heat will impact the ability of the health sector to deliver services, indoor environments "overheating" in community and care settings, issues managing medicines, staffing issues due to "external factors" such as transport delays and increased demand for power exceeding capacity. Temperatures approached 30C in many parts of the country on Monday, before reaching heatwave criteria in central and southern England by midweek. As deadly heat tears across Europe, Britain are expected to be baked by the summer's fourth heatwave this week. "Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30°C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England," said Dr Paul Coleman, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency. "These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions - so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. "If you have friends, family or neighbours who are vulnerable, it is important to ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice. Check in on them if you can to make sure they know that hot weather is on the way and how to keep themselves safe." UKHSA clarified: "Under the Weather-Health Alert system, an amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. At this level, we may begin to see some health impacts across the wider population. "We may also see an increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.." Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tom Crabtree said: 'Warmth is the focus in the forecast in the first half of this week, with temperatures likely to peak on Tuesday around the mid-30s, but remaining above average in the second half of the week, particularly further to the southeast. 'The exception to the widely warm conditions will be northwest Scotland on Monday, where showers will be more frequent. Warmth will develop there from Tuesday with temperatures peaking in the mid to high 20s.' It comes after firefighters issued an urgent new warning ahead of the upcoming heatwave following a string of outdoor fires caused by "human behaviour". This morning, Scottish Fire and Rescue service group commander Neil MacLennan said a huge blaze on Arthur's Seat in the centre of Edinburgh was "almost certainly sparked by human activity", though the exact cause is yet to be established. And on Friday, London Fire Brigade said they had attended 80 wildfires believed to have been started deliberately so far this summer, while other incidents are thought to resulted from accidental triggers, such as disposable BBQs and discarded cigarettes. Parents are being urged to educate their children on the risks of starting outdoor fires, while park users hoping to enjoy a spot of sunshine have been asked to behave responsibly and take their litter home with them. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall said: 'While some wildfires can occur naturally, particularly during spells of extreme dryness and heat, the majority of these fires can be easily avoided by the public behaving responsibly.
