A potential deadly bird flu pandemic, which experts warn could be “100 times worse” than COVID-19, may be looming following a rare human case discovered in Texas, according to a report by the New York Post. The H5N1 avian flu has rapidly spread since a new strain was detected in 2020, affecting wild birds in every state, as well as commercial poultry and backyard flocks. Recent cases in mammals, including infected cattle herds across four states and a dairy worker in Texas, have raised concerns.
Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher, expressed alarm at a recent panel, stating, “This virus [has been] on the top of the pandemic list for many, many years and probably decades.”
He emphasized the virus’s ability to infect a range of mammalian hosts, including humans, suggesting it poses a significant global pandemic threat.
John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant, echoed these concerns, suggesting the potential for the bird flu to be “100 times worse” than COVID-19 if it mutates and maintains its high fatality rate. Currently, around 52% of humans who have contracted H5N1 since 2003 have died, compared to COVID-19’s current fatality rate of less than 0.1%.
Symptoms of the bird flu are similar to other flus, including cough, body aches, and fever. Severe pneumonia can also occur, leading to life-threatening complications.
“While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, this indicates that the current risk to the public remains low,” the US Department of Agriculture stated. However, the virus’s presence in cattle suggests it may be mutating, which could increase the risk of human transmission.
Efforts are underway to develop a vaccine for the virus, with the US already testing components used to create a vaccine. Two candidate vaccine viruses appear to be well-matched to protect against H5N1. The Biden administration is monitoring the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of keeping communities healthy, safe, and informed.