Bird flu warning issued in Europe as WHO says 'avoid contact'

Bird flu warning issued in Europe as WHO says 'avoid contact'The World Health Organization has issued guidance after a man was diagnosed with H9N2 bird flu in Italy - the first time this strain has been imported into EuropeCommentsNewsLiam Randall News Reporter22:08, 12 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesThe case marks the first time this particular strain has been imported into Europe(Image: Getty Images)Health authorities are on high alert following a man being diagnosed with a high-risk strain of bird flu in Italy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed this marks the first occasion the A(H9N2) subtype has been imported into Europe, triggering concerns about a potential fresh health crisis.‌The patient, an adult male, had recently returned from a six-month period in Senegal before arriving in Italy. He was taken to an emergency department experiencing a fever and a persistent cough.‌While the WHO currently assesses the risk to the general population as "low," they have cautioned that any human infection caused by a novel influenza A virus has the "potential for high public health impact."‌In a warning to the public, the WHO has urged people to steer clear of dangerous environments to stop the spread of the bug.The global health body said: "The public should avoid contact with high-risk environments such as live animal markets/farms or surfaces that might be contaminated by poultry faeces.", reports the Daily Star."Respiratory protection is highly recommended for those handling live or dead (including slaughtering) poultry in occupational or backyard-farming settings. Good hand hygiene, i.e. frequent washing of hands or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser is recommended." Experts have cautioned that the bird flu strain can trigger a variety of symptoms in humans. While some may only experience mild respiratory problems, the WHO warned it can result in severe illness and death, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal pain...