Seven people in Russia have been found to be infected with the H5N8 bird flu virus, the first known human cases of the virus.
The seven infected people have mild symptoms and no human-to-human transmission has been detected, but the virus could mutate to cause human-to-human transmission in the future.
In early February, a highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N8) strain of wild black swan was reported in the Old Summer Palace Ruins Park in Beijing.
How does the virus infect humans?
What are the symptoms of being infected?
How to protect scientifically?

The H5N8 bird flu virus, which is highly contagious among birds, was first detected globally in 2014, according to public information.
In 2016, outbreaks in many European countries killed a large number of poultry and wild birds.
It has been found in Japan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Namibia, India, and the United States.
The acute respiratory infectious disease caused by some subtypes of avian influenza virus is called “human avian influenza”, and the subtypes of avian influenza virus that infect human beings are mainly H5, H7 and H9 subtypes.

“H5N8 is expected to be transmitted in the same way as H7N9, mainly through respiratory transmission, or through close contact with the secretions or feces of infected birds, or through contact with contaminated environments.”
Li Dong, chief physician of the infection department of Beijing You ‘an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, said the high-risk groups are poultry breeding workers, people who trade, transport and process live poultry, and people who often go to live poultry markets for shopping.

On the H5N8 bird flu symptoms in humans, Li said that as it is the first time that humans have been infected with the virus, the current news reports show that the symptoms are relatively mild, with fever, cough and muscle aches, and some people even have mild or no symptoms at all.

Faced with the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the H5N8 avian influenza virus in the future, what should we do in our daily life to protect ourselves scientifically?
Li Dong has put forward the following suggestions.

Personnel engaged in poultry breeding, transportation, sales, slaughter and other industries in contact with poultry, to do a good job of personal protection (wear gloves, masks, wear work clothes), contact to use disinfectant and water thoroughly clean hands.

The general public can choose to buy chilled poultry products instead of live poultry products.
Do not touch your mouth and nose when handling eggs. Wash your hands immediately after touching eggs and other poultry food. When processing food, separate raw and cooked food and cook thoroughly before eating.

Do not come into close contact with wild birds in the park or in the wild. If you encounter a bird that has died from an unknown cause, stay away from it and report it to local authorities.
In case of fever, headache, nasal congestion, cough, general discomfort and other symptoms, you should wear a mask and go to the hospital as soon as possible.