Symptoms of bird flu that everyone should be aware of.
Bird flu cases are skyrocketing on U.S. farms, with the H5N1 virus now impacting nearly 1,000 dairy cow farms. Top U.S. health experts are raising alarms over the potential for a pandemic. The virus has already led to over 70 human infections, including one confirmed death. As the situation escalates, the focus is shifting to containment measures to prevent further spread.
The UK is also facing rising concerns over H5N1. Since 2021, seven human cases have been recorded, with the latest in January 2022 and 2023. Alarm grew when officials discovered the first case of avian flu in sheep on a Yorkshire farm. Experts from the Global Virus Network (GVN) emphasize the threat to the U.S. poultry industry, urging rapid action to prevent the virus from spreading to humans. Virologist Dr. Marc Johnson warned that the virus is aggressively seeking pandemic status.
The Global Virus Network (GVN) is focusing on educating the public about bird flu risks, as symptoms can resemble the common flu. Mild symptoms include coughing, sore throat, and fatigue, while severe cases may lead to pneumonia and high fevers. Diagnosis requires laboratory tests, as symptoms alone are not enough. Health professionals recommend swabs from the throat, nose, or eyes, ideally within the first few days of illness, with additional lower respiratory samples for severe cases.
Scientists have predicted varying death rates for bird flu under different scenarios. One model suggests 5% of infected people could die, while others predict 1% hospitalization with a 0.25% death rate, similar to COVID-19 in 2021. The first known U.S. bird flu fatality occurred in January, with a Louisiana resident over 65, and California declared an emergency as H5N1 spread quickly across 645 dairy farms. Early action remains crucial to prevent further outbreaks.
A teenager in Canada was hospitalized after contracting bird flu, remaining in critical condition by late November. Research indicates the virus may not react well to contact with reptiles and dogs. Experts warn of the potential for a pandemic if H5N1 evolves to spread among humans, though no data suggests this is likely. Health officials emphasize that bird flu is not contracted from well-cooked chicken, with human infections typically resulting from contact with contaminated droplets.
