With the H5N1 strain providing a very serious threat, experts are warning of the possibility of a bird flu pandemic that may be even more destructive than the COVID-19 outbreak.
Recent reports have shown that virus experts believe H5N1 is “dangerously close” to starting a worldwide pandemic. The White House has stated that it is “monitoring” the issue as it develops.
The finding of several H5N1 infections in a range of species, including people, cows, and cats, highlighted the seriousness of the situation and raised worries about the virus’s potential to mutate and become more easily transmissible among humans.
This comes after an article stated that a dairy farm worker in Texas tested positive for the virus, that 12 herds of cows across six states had illnesses, and that three cats in Texas had died from the virus.
Renowned bird flu expert Dr Suresh Kuchipudi has cautioned that we are getting closer to the possibility of an H5N1 pandemic. He stressed that the virus poses a serious risk of spreading to humans and other mammals because it has already demonstrated its capacity to infect a variety of mammalian hosts.
John Fulton, a consultant for the pharmaceutical business, shared this opinion when he pointed out the serious consequences of H5N1 evolving while keeping its high death rate, which might lead to a pandemic even worse than Covid-19.
“This appears to be 100 times worse than Covid, or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate,” Fulton stated.
The Mortality Rate From H5N1
Based on data gathered since 2003, the World Health Organization has projected that the H5N1 death rate is a startling 52%. The fatality rate of COVID-19, in comparison, is noticeably lower, highlighting the possible seriousness of a widespread H5N1 pandemic. Approximately thirty per cent of people infected with the novel H5N1 virus have perished, according to recent instances since 2020.
“This appears to be 100 times worse than Covid, or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate,” Fulton stated.
As events develop, the White House and medical professionals are advocating for increased understanding and readiness. The public was reassured by the White House press secretary that the health and safety of Americans are of the utmost importance and that steps are being taken to monitor and control the avian flu spread.
The spread of H5N1 poses more than only direct health problems; it also has wider economic ramifications, especially for the dairy and poultry sectors. The quantity and cost of milk and eggs might be significantly impacted by diseased animals exhibiting symptoms and the need to kill sick birds.
