Evidence shows the H5N1 bird flu virus could evolve to spread among humans, with current vaccines and treatments possibly insufficient.
Apoorva Mandavilli reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- H5N1 bird flu has infected farmworkers, dairy cows, wild birds, and various mammals, showing high pathogenicity.
- The virus could mutate to spread among humans, requiring rapid vaccine production and antiviral deployment.
- Vaccinating cows and farmworkers could limit the spread and reduce the risk of a new pandemic.
Key quote:
"I definitely don’t think there is room for complacency here."
— Anice Lowen, virologist at Emory University
Why this matters:
H5N1's ability to infect diverse hosts and potentially mutate for human transmission could lead to a severe pandemic. Health experts are particularly worried about the virus’s ability to mutate rapidly, which could outpace current medical countermeasures. The implications are profound, not only for public health but also for global food security, as poultry farming plays a critical role in many economies.
