New H5N1 strain raises pandemic concerns
The ongoing spread of a novel bird flu strain, specifically the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, is causing alarm among public and animal health officials as it continues to infect various species, including the first reported cases in US swine.
This development heightens concerns that the virus could mutate into a form transmissible between humans, potentially triggering a pandemic.
Despite these fears, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the immediate risk to human health remains low. However, the variant's presence in dairy cattle suggests that just one additional mutation could enable human spread.
"The longer this virus circulates unchecked, the higher the likelihood it will acquire the mutations needed to cause a pandemic. We need to act urgently to prevent this scenario," stated Dr. Les Sims, a veteran in disease control.