Positive avian flu tests have sparked a new fear of global outbreaks. Credit: Stanislavsukhin, Shutterstock
Health experts around the world are again raising alarms over avian flu, warning that the virus is changing rapidly, and approaching a new pandemic spark.
The H5N1 strain continues to wreaked havoc on US farms, jumping from birds to cows, and, worryingly, wreaking havoc on people.
So far, nearly 1,000 herds of dairy cows have been caught in the outbreak, with over 70 human cases documented, including the first known fatality. Throughout the Atlantic, the UK has seen seven human cases since 2021. Scientists are maintaining a meticulous clock after Yorkshire Farm reported the world’s first case of avian sheep flu earlier this year.
The message from virus experts is clear. Be vigilant, understand your symptoms and prepare yourself.
Avian flu mutations accelerate: Why experts are deeply concerned
Scientists aren’t the only concerns about the number of scientists. That’s what’s happening within scientists. A group of leading experts in the Global Virus Network (GVN) recently warned that the virus is “working very hard” to make the leap into humans in a greater way.
Dr. Mark Johnson, a virologist at the University of Missouri, spoke openly on social media. Avian flu “gets many opportunities” to cause serious trouble.
In the US, authorities declared a state of emergency in California after the virus was detected in hundreds of dairy herds. Genetic testing for the first deadly human cases suggests that the virus is mutated within the patient, perhaps suggesting that the disease is much more aggressive.
The man, over the age of 65 and already had underlying health issues, had intimate contact with sick and dead birds from a flock in his backyard. His tragic death serves as a strict reminder of what is at stake if the virus gains status.
Meanwhile, Canadian health officials are dealing with another troubling case. A teenager is hospitalized and placed on a ventilator after catching avian flu, and there is no clear link to the infected animal.
Avian flu symptoms: early warning signs that should not be ignored
Early awareness is important when avian flu starts to spread more easily among people. The symptoms are often very similar to the normal flu, so you can find them.
Early signs include cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, muscle pain and very fatigue. Some people experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
However, more severe cases can lead to pneumonia, dangerous high fevers above 37.7°C (100°F), and an urgent need for hospital care.
Public health experts emphasize that avian flu cannot be confirmed based solely on symptoms. Clinical tests are required. Doctors usually take a swab through the nose, throat, or eyes within the first few days of a disease that is prone to virus detection. In severe cases, samples from deep in the lungs may also be required.
If you are unlucky enough to catch it but start recovering, the test can be difficult to pick up the virus – timing is important.
The threat of the bird flu pandemic: What experts say
For now, the good news is that the overall risk to the public remains low, according to UK health experts. But that doesn’t mean we can afford to be satisfied.
Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, says the main concern is whether the virus will evolve further. If so, if it spreads easily from person to person, we could find ourselves staring at the barrel of another global health crisis.
Avian flu pandemic risk: Why experts warn that they can’t rule it out
At this point, eating poultry and game birds is not a major concern, as proper cooking kills the virus. Instead, the real danger lies in direct contact with or on surfaces contaminated by infected animals. The virus usually enters the body by eyes, nose, mouth, or inhaling.
Health officials are calling for urgent action to educate the public, improve surveillance and invest in measures that could stop the avian flu before it gets out of control.
If there’s one thing Covid has taught us, it’s because staying one step ahead can make all the difference.
