WHO Alarmed as Bird Flu Spreads to Cattle and Humans, Risking Pandemic

April 18, 2024
WHO Alarmed as Bird Flu Spreads to Cattle and Humans, Risking Pandemic
  • The WHO has voiced 'enormous concern' about the spread of the H5N1 avian flu strain to new species, including a potential risk to humans.

  • Millions of poultry have died from an outbreak in 2020, and the virus has affected several mammal species, including domestic cattle in the US.

  • A recent outbreak in Texas cattle has escalated concerns due to previous assumptions that cattle were not susceptible to H5N1.

  • The virus's presence in dairy cattle across eight states has led to demands for more government transparency and information sharing.

  • There are worries about the safety of milk disposal and the virus spreading due to the government's perceived lack of data transparency.

  • The WHO cautions that the H5N1 virus could mutate to infect humans more easily and potentially transmit between humans.

  • Bird flu was found to be the cause of illness in dairy cattle in Texas, with the virus now present in multiple states and confirmed to transmit cow-to-cow and to at least one human.

  • Increased monitoring, development of vaccines, and equitable access to health resources are urged by the WHO to mitigate the threat of H5N1.

Summary based on 13 sources


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