Experts Urge America to Prepare for Pandemic as New Virus Spreads to All 50 States

As the United States continues to grapple with the persistent threat of avian influenza, which shows no indications of abating, health professionals are raising concerns regarding the potential emergence of another global pandemic.

The H5N1 virus spreads swiftly across farms, infecting thousands of animals and now resulting in human fatalities, placing the world on the brink of a health crisis.

As the virus continues to evolve and spread, questions emerge about our readiness to face another devastating outbreak, or if we are simply anticipating its inevitable advancement.

As the number of confirmed human cases surpasses 70 and worries about human-to-human transmission increase, time is of the essence. Is this the onset of a gradually unfolding pandemic that will take us by surprise, or have we already missed the opportunity to prevent it?

Health authorities have raised urgent alarms regarding the possibility of a new pandemic, as avian influenza continues to proliferate across the United States, now impacting all 50 states. The H5N1 outbreak has already affected nearly 1,000 dairy herds and resulted in over 70 human infections, including the first verified fatality attributed to the virus.

The poultry industry in the United States is encountering considerable risks, particularly in regions characterized by high density and inadequate protective measures. Since 2022, the outbreak of avian influenza has affected over 168 million birds, leading to an increase in egg prices.

Although transmission to humans has not yet taken place, experts caution that mutations and reassortments—where two viruses infect hosts simultaneously and exchange genetic material—could heighten the risk of human transmission. The Global Viral Network (GVN) calls on governments to enhance monitoring and implement more robust biological safety protocols to mitigate this risk.

Dr. Peter Palese, a prominent expert in influenza research, underscores the necessity for enhanced biological and public education measures regarding the safe management of poultry and the potential hazards linked to infected animals.

Dr. AB Osterhaus, another director of GVN, indicates that the vaccine could be crucial for managing the crisis, particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of H5N1 in mammals.

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