How might the avian influenza virus be transmitted to humans from sewage, excreta and animal wastes?
The H5N1 avian influenza virus could potentially enter into sewage in urine or faeces excreted by infected humans or in animal waste that is combined with human sewage. Although human and animal excreta are often managed separately, there are settings and scenarios where animal waste may be combined with human waste. There is some evidence to show that the H5N1 avian influenza virus is excreted in faeces of infected persons, but information on the excretion of H5N1 avian influenza viruses in urine or faeces by mammalian species, including humans, is very limited and unlikely to be representative of a potential future human pandemic strain.
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- How might the avian influenza virus be transmitted to humans from sewage, excreta and animal wastes?
