The threat of a new pandemic looms large as experts voice their concerns over the H5N1 strain of bird flu, suggesting that an outbreak could potentially be “100 times worse than the Covid pandemic.” According to a report by the Daily Mail, a recent briefing highlighted the alarming potential of the bird flu strain to spread rapidly among humans, with a fatality rate that could dwarf that of Covid-19.
Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, a notable bird flu researcher from Pittsburgh, underscored the urgency of the situation, noting that the H5N1 virus has already demonstrated its ability to infect a wide range of mammals, including humans. “We are not just speculating about a potential threat; we are facing a virus that is already circulating globally, infecting various mammals. The time to prepare is now,” Dr. Kuchipudi stated.
John Fulton, a pharmaceutical consultant, further emphasized the severity of the potential pandemic, suggesting that the H5N1 virus could maintain its high case fatality rate even after mutating to more effectively infect humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a fatality rate of over 50% for H5N1, with 462 deaths out of 887 reported cases since 2003. In comparison, the current fatality rate for Covid-19 stands at 0.1%, a significant decrease from the 20% seen at the pandemic’s outset.
The alarming report follows recent outbreaks of avian flu in a Michigan poultry facility, a Texas egg producer, and cases of dairy cows contracting the virus. Notably, there has been the first documented case of a human contracting the virus from a mammal, highlighting the evolving threat posed by H5N1.
The potential for a bird flu pandemic of such magnitude necessitates immediate action and preparedness from global health authorities to mitigate the risks and safeguard public health.
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