Bird flu is considered one of the viruses that could cause the next pandemic. What is currently known?
Infection with bird flu is usually fatal for poultry. Austria has now classified the entire country as a risk area. Poultry farmers are particularly affected.
But the virus can also be dangerous to humans. It is considered a candidate pathogen that could trigger the next pandemic. The worrying thing is that the highly infectious virus is spreading in more and more ways. Migratory birds have spread it worldwide and not only introduced it into poultry houses. Minks, penguins, foxes, cats and tigers, among others, have already been infected.
In the USA, the virus spread to cattle, and the virus was recently also detected in pigs. A so-called spillover – the jump to other species – is not uncommon.
But what is particularly threatening is that the virus is getting closer and closer to people. Because people have already become infected. However, direct person-to-person transmission is still relatively rare.
What is the status?
In the USA, it was confirmed for the first time in March that the H5N1 pathogen of clade (variant) 2.3.4.4b was detected in dairy cows. At the end of March, the first farm worker tested positive for the virus. As CNN reported, citing Texas researchers, the dairy worker sought medical attention after experiencing painful red, swollen, weeping eyes with burst blood vessels. However, he did not have a fever and his lungs were clear, according to
According to the latest information, 46 people in the USA have been infected since the outbreak. Almost all of them had direct contact with dairy cattle or poultry. Direct person-to-person transmission has not been proven, but there are suspected cases.
So far, the illnesses following an infection in humans have been mild to moderate, explained the US health authority CDC. The usual flu symptoms appear such as fever, sore throat, shortness of breath and cough. Conjunctivitis, nose or gum bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain are also reported. Neurological symptoms (seizures) and encephalitis may also be associated with bird flu infection. However, such cases have not yet been reported in the current outbreak.
The American health authority has so far classified the risk to the general public as low. Bird flu is currently primarily a problem for animal health.
The virus has been circulating in American dairy farms since at least November 2023, so it was not discovered for months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture officially confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in dairy cows in Texas on March 25.
The US Department of Agriculture ordered, among other things, that only dairy cows with a negative bird flu test could be transported from one US state to another. Experts see this as insufficient.
“This is a drop in the ocean,” Mike Worobey from the University of Arizona told Science magazine. This limitation is comparable to that of air traffic during Covid times, “long after the viruses have established themselves in a certain place.” It could simply be too late.
The WHO spoke out in mid-April. Your lead scientist Dr. Jeremy Farrar expressed concern that the bird flu virus has an “extremely high” mortality rate among those infected around the world. It is crucially important whether transmission can take place from person to person.
Evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey also warns: “We are in uncharted territory here, as an H5N1 virus adapted to mammals is spreading for the first time in land mammals with which hundreds of thousands of people come into contact every day,” he says, referring to the situation in the USA. The next pandemic virus will come from a situation very similar to this one.
Jerome Adams also sees a similar situation to that at the beginning of the corona pandemic. He headed the public health service in the USA until 2021. He told Business Insider: “If it continues to spread in animals, at some point it will cause problems for humans, either because we don’t have food, because they have to start wiping out herds, or because there is a big one in humans jump.” And he warns: “The more it replicates, the greater the chance it has of mutating.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Bird Flu Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Johnson. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the alarming resurgence of bird flu and its potential implications for both animal and human health.
Dr. Johnson: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we shed light on this situation.
Editor: To start, can you provide an overview of the current state of bird flu, particularly the H5N1 strain? We’ve seen some distressing reports of infection spreading to various animal species and even to the dairy industry in the U.S.
Dr. Johnson: Absolutely. The H5N1 virus is indeed a significant player in the current landscape of infectious diseases. Recently, we’ve seen it not only affect domestic poultry but also venture into new territories, impacting livestock like dairy cows and even causing spillover infections in wild and domesticated animals. This broadening of host species raises our concern about its potential to mutate and adapt to humans.
Editor: Austria has classified the entire country as a risk area for bird flu. How have poultry farmers been affected, and what measures are being implemented to mitigate this crisis?
Dr. Johnson: Poultry farmers are facing enormous challenges. The virus typically leads to high mortality rates in infected birds, and the biosecurity measures implemented can be both financially and logistically taxing. Farmers are under pressure to maintain health standards to prevent outbreaks and minimize the economic impact on their livelihoods. Enhanced surveillance and culling of infected populations are common practices, but they need to be coupled with robust support systems for affected farmers.
Editor: What’s particularly concerning is that the virus is now closer to humans, with infections documented in the U.S. Are these cases of bird flu in people something we should be worried about?
Dr. Johnson: While it’s crucial to monitor the situation closely, the current infections in humans have thus far been linked primarily to direct contact with infected animals—most notably poultry and cattle. The CDC has reported that the cases have been mild to moderate and have not demonstrated sustained human-to-human transmission. However, the occurrences should be seen as a warning sign of what might come if the virus adapts further.
Editor: Recently, reports mentioned that the first confirmed human case in Texas involved a dairy worker with mild symptoms. What does this mean for public health?
Dr. Johnson: It underscores the need for vigilance and readiness. While the risk to the general public is currently classified as low, it’s essential to ensure that both animal health and human health professionals are prepared to respond to any unusual developments. The fact that we now have confirmed human cases, even if mild, suggests that the virus is capable of crossing species barriers, raising the alarm for possible future mutations.
Editor: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has taken measures to prevent the transport of potentially infected dairy cows across state lines. Do you believe these measures are sufficient?
Dr. Johnson: Unfortunately, I believe these actions are merely a start. As Mike Worobey noted, these efforts might be too little, too late. We need comprehensive strategies that encompass surveillance, rapid response, and public education on biosecurity. Simply restricting movement of infected animals won’t address the underlying issue if the virus has already established itself in wildlife or other populations.
Editor: That’s a grim assessment. What other steps should be prioritized to avoid a larger crisis?
Dr. Johnson: We need to prioritize research into understanding the virus’s evolution and transmission dynamics better. Public health campaigns to educate people working in agricultural sectors on the crucial aspects of biosecurity are vital. Coordination among health and agricultural departments can facilitate faster responses and protect not just animal populations but also public health.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Johnson. It’s evident that while we may not be facing a pandemic right now, the situation requires our attention, and timely interventions can make a significant difference. We appreciate your insights.
Dr. Johnson: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we remain proactive rather than reactive in these types of situations.