Experts have raised concerns about a possible bird flu pandemic that has the potential to surpass the impact of COVID-19. This alarm comes in the wake of a rare human case of H5N1 avian flu being reported in Texas. Since the identification of a new strain in 2020, this avian flu has been swiftly spreading amongst wild birds, commercial poultry, and backyard flocks across the entire nation.
Disturbingly, the virus has now been detected in mammals as well, specifically in cattle herds spanning four states. On Monday, federal health officials announced that a dairy worker in Texas had contracted the virus. Such incidents signify a significant escalation and raise concerns about the virus's capability to infect diverse species, including humans.
This virus [has been] on the top of the pandemic list for many, many years and probably decades,” Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher from Pittsburgh, said at a recent panel discussing the issue, according to the Daily Mail.
“And now we’re getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic.”
