A bird flu pandemic could be looming, but experts are still debating whether it can spread through the air. The H5N1 virus has already infected over 66 people in the US and is now found in cows that can pass it to humans. Scientists are tracing changes that could make the virus airborne, allowing it to spread through hospitals, restaurants, and other shared spaces.
The debate on how influenza viruses spread started over a century ago. Some experts believe it spreads mainly by direct contact, while others think it’s airborne. Recent studies have shown that airborne transmission is possible, with 39% of droplets from flu patients carrying viable viruses in one experiment.
However, the exact mechanism of airborne transmission is still unclear. Scientists are working to understand how influenza viruses spread through the air and develop strategies to prevent a pandemic. As the virus continues to mutate and spread among animals, experts worry that it may gain the necessary mutations to become highly contagious. The world is watching closely as labs monitor the virus’s evolution and await any sign of airborne transmission that could put humans at risk.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/health/bird-flu-airborne-covid.html