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heAlth Monday 17 april 2023
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Bird flu: Scientists find mutations, say threat is still low HEALTH

DOCTOR ON DUTY
By MIKE STOBBE last year, tens of millions of
AP Medical Writer chickens have died of the Oranjestad
NEW YORK (AP) — A man virus or been killed to stop Hospital 7:00 pm / 10:00pm
in Chile is infected with a outbreaks from spreading, Tel. 527 4000
bird flu that has concerning one of the reasons cited San Nicolas
mutations, but the threat to for soaring U.S. egg prices.
people from the virus re- The new lab analysis looked Imsan 24 hours
Tel.524 8833
mains low, U.S. health offi- at the virus found in the Women in Difficulties
cials said Friday. lungs of a 53-year-old man PHARMACY ON DUTY
Past animal studies sug- living in Chile's Antofagasta
gest these mutations could region. It may be that he Oranjestad:
cause the virus to be more became infected through Sta. Anna: Tel. 586 8181
Seroe Preto: Tel. 584 4833
harmful or spread more contact with sick or dead
easily, health officials said. birds or infected sea lions, Women in Difficulties
But they also said there according to a WHO sum- OTHER
is no evidence that the Municipal workers collect dead pelicans on Santa Maria beach mary of the case.q Dental Clinic 587 9850
mutations would make it in Lima, Peru, Nov. 30, 2022, as thousands of birds died in No- Blood Bank Aruba 587 0002
easier for it to take root in vember along the Pacific of Peru from bird flu, according to The Urgent Care 586 0448
a person's upper lungs — a National Forest and Wildlife Service (Serfor). Walk-In Doctor’s Clinic
+297 588 0539
development that would Associated Press Women in Difficulties
raise concerns about EMERGENCY
spread among people.
The mutations do not to continue to look carefully to spread more easily Police 100
change public health of- at every instance of human among people. And it has Oranjestad 527 3140
ficials' assessment of the infection," Dugan said. "We been spreading widely, to Noord 527 3200
527 2900
Sta. Cruz
overall risk to people from need to remain vigilant for birds and animals in scores San Nicolas 584 5000
the H5N1 virus, which "con- changes that would make of countries. Police Tipline 11141
tinues to be low," said Vivi- these viruses more danger- In the U.S., it has recently Ambulancia 911
en Dugan of the Centers ous to people." been detected in wild Fire Dept. 115
for Disease Control and This type of flu, called Type birds in every state, as well Red Cross 582 2219
Prevention. A H5N1, was first identi- as in commercial poultry TAXI SERVICES
The mutations, which have fied as a threat to people operations and backyard Taxi Tas 587 5900
appeared only in the one during a 1997 outbreak in flocks across the country. Prof. Taxi 588 0035
hospitalized patient, may Hong Kong, when visitors to Since the beginning of Taxi D.T.S. 587 2300
have occurred after the live poultry markets caught Taxi Serv. Aruba 583 3232
man got sick, CDC officials it. A1 Taxi Serv. 280 2828
said. There's no evidence Sporadic outbreaks have Women in Difficulties
that the mutated virus followed, and more than TRAVEL INFO
spread to other people, 450 people have died in Aruba Airport 524 2424
mixed with other flu viruses, the past two decades from American Airlines 582 2700
or developed the ability to bird flu infections, accord- Avianca 588 0059
fight off current medicines ing to the World Health Or- Jet Blue 588 2244
or evade vaccines, agen- ganization. The vast major- Surinam 582 7896
cy officials said. ity of infected people got it Women in Difficulties
Such genetic changes directly from birds. AID FOUNDATIONS
have been seen in past As bird flu hits other spe-
bird flu infections. cies, however, scientists FAVI- Visually Impaired
Tel. 582 5051
"Nevertheless, it's important fear the virus could evolve
Alcoholics Anonymous
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Narcotics Anonymous
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Relacional Tel. 583 5400
Centre for Diabetes
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Child Abuse Prevention
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