There is a probability for a future pandemic that could come from bird flu, according to Dr. Michael Osterholm who is an expert from the University of Minnesota. He believes that it is not a matter of if it might hit us, but when it can and a next global health crisis will surely happen.
Osterholm points out that bird flu strains like H5N1 and H5N8 are becoming more common among birds worldwide. These viruses could change in ways that allow them to spread easily between humans and potentially cause a pandemic similar to COVID-19. He states the world isn’t well-prepared for such an event, despite the lessons learned from the current pandemic. He stresses the need for better global preparation and infrastructure to handle future pandemics, particularly those that could emerge from bird flu strains evolving to infect humans more easily.
The expert criticized how the world handled COVID-19, and said that we are warned but still aren’t ready for a worse outbreak like bird flu spreading among people. He emphasizes the need for global monitoring, fast responses, and countries coming together to work on controlling new diseases.
Bird flu usually affects birds but can sometimes infect humans and can cause serious sickness. There is a concern that it could change to spread easily between people. Osterholm warns that strains like H5N1 and H5N8 already show alarming traits and urges everyone to take steps so that a future pandemic can be prevented. He also urges more focus on developing vaccines for the potential bird flu pandemics. He said that governments and global health groups should invest more in preparing for pandemics to avoid the widespread damage seen with COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
Bird flu pandemic could disrupt global trade, limit travel, and strain healthcare systems. Osterholm stresses the governments and health groups about the importance of taking action before the crisis hits, rather than reacting after the outbreak so that future pandemics can be handled effectively.
Dr. Michael Osterholm’s warnings about the risk of a future bird flu pandemic emphasize the danger of new infectious diseases. His expertise shows the importance of global alertness, readiness, and working together to reduce how much these outbreaks affect public health and global stability.
