Experts have issued an “urgent call to action” over the rising threat of bird flu in the U.S., with the virus now circulating in all 50 states and Canada.
The Global Virus Network (GVN) is calling on world governments to urgently tackle the HN51 strain of the virus.
There have been 70 human cases of bird flu in the U.S., including one reported death in Louisiana in January.
The state’s health board said the person was over 65 and had underlying health conditions. They had also been in contact with sick and dead birds.
A public health investigation found no evidence of human-to-human transmission or any other cases.
Experts are worried it is only a matter of time before human-to-human transmission is reported
Image credits: emrekaya/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)
Most of the reported cases have been mild and detected among workers who had contact with sick cattle or poultry.
Some bird flu infections have been detected in humans where the source of the infection was unknown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
While human-to-human transmission has not been recorded so far, experts are worried it is only a matter of time and warn that virus mutations could increase transmissibility.
“Understanding the current landscape of H5N1 infections is critical for effective prevention and response,” Sten H. Vermund, chief medical officer of the GVN, said.
“The virus’ ability to infect both animals and humans, combined with recent genetic changes, underscores the importance of proactive surveillance and rapid response measures.”
Veterinarian Dr Kay Russo told 60 Minutes earlier this month that time was running out to stop the spread of bird flu.
Image credits: 60 Minutes
When asked about her main concern, she said: “The pandemic potential for a virus like this one. And you know that is the worst case scenario, right?
“And ultimately one we want to avoid. I can't say that that’s gonna happen, but we don’t want to play with fire.”
Dr Kamran Khan, an infectious disease physician in Toronto, also told 60 Minutes that bird flu was a serious threat to people.
“This is a threat that is very significant and very real,” he said. “And I recognize also this is a moment where it’s easy to sound like an alarmist.
“What I’m here to tell you is this is a very serious threat to humanity. And the longer we let this persist, the greater the risks are going to be.”
Image credits: Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)
In March 2024, the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected in U.S. dairy cattle for the first time ever.
The outbreak has affected nearly 1,000 dairy cow herds, and the virus has resulted in the loss or culling of more than 168 million poultry in the U.S. since 2022.
It has also led to skyrocketing egg prices due to a shortage of egg-laying hens.
Experts say the Biden administration was too slow to act, while the Trump administration has reportedly sacked staff who were working on the nation’s response to the virus.
Virologists at the GVN say there is a need for “improved pandemic preparedness,” drawing on lessons learned from the Covid pandemic and previous outbreaks.
The GVN is urging governments to address the outbreak by enhancing surveillance, implementing biosecurity measures, investing in rapid vaccine development, and preparing for potential human-to-human transmission.
Bird flu is spread through close contact with an infected bird
Image credits: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
President emeritus of GVN, Christian Bréchot, said: “The situation with H5N1 demands heightened vigilance and collaboration across public health sectors. Early detection and robust surveillance are critical to prevent further spread.”
Bird flu is spread through close contact with an infected bird, whether it is dead or alive. It cannot be caught through eating fully cooked eggs or poultry.
Reported symptoms in humans range from mild to severe and include a high fever, flu-like symptoms, coughing, body aches, headaches, and eye redness.
Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.