The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the spread of a new bird flu variant, H5N1, to 15 people in five states, including Nevada. The risk to humans remains low, but infections have been detected outside the US, in the UK.
Genetic analysis shows that the virus originated from genotype B3.13, which infected over 950 cattle herds in 16 US states and spread to Canada. The detection of a different strain, D1.1, in dairy cows in January proves that bird flu has now spread from wild birds into cattle twice in an outbreak that started in late 2023.
While the risk of avian flu to the public remains low, many governments are buying up vaccine stocks and ramping up precautionary measures in response to the circulating virus. A study found that a single genetic change enabled the H5N1 variant to jump more easily from other mammals to humans.
Health experts warn that the H5N1 variant could be one mutation away from becoming a major public health concern. Peter Jay Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, said, “We know there’s a likelihood that there could be a significant bird flu pandemic, maybe resembling the 1918 flu pandemic.”
Other nations are increasing surveillance and precautionary measures. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recommended increased surveillance and monitoring of people exposed to avian influenza.
The spread of bird flu highlights the need for global cooperation in addressing pandemic risks. Health experts emphasize that preparedness is key, and the US must be ready for potential outbreaks.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/is-us-bird-flu-outbreak-in-cattle-a-global-risk-to-humans/articleshow/118150224.cms