Scientists warn of potential new pandemic that can impact all 50 states
In this DML Report…
Leading health experts from the Global Virus Network (GVN) warn that the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, now affecting all 50 U.S. states, poses a significant pandemic risk. The virus has impacted nearly 1,000 dairy cow herds and over 168 million poultry since 2022, causing more than 70 human cases and one confirmed death in Louisiana, an elderly patient with underlying conditions exposed to infected birds. Two cases—an adult in Missouri and a child in California—have unknown infection sources, raising concerns about potential undetected spread. The virus’s rapid mutation rate and environmental prevalence increase human exposure risks, particularly in high-density farming areas with inadequate protective measures.
Although human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed, experts highlight the virus’s potential to mutate or reassort, combining genetic material with other flu strains, which could enable easier spread. The GVN notes that pigs, capable of hosting both human and avian flu strains, could serve as “mixing vessels” for a new, more transmissible strain. The U.S. response has been criticized, with voluntary testing of cattle and exposed workers only recently shifting to mandatory testing for interstate cattle movement. The virus has been detected in raw milk, prompting USDA requirements for companies to share samples for testing. Experts, including virologist Dr. Marc Johnson, emphasize the virus’s persistence, noting it is “trying hard” to reach pandemic potential.
(see more below)
The GVN urges stronger biosecurity measures, enhanced surveillance, and public education on bird flu risks. Symptoms range from mild flu-like signs—cough, sore throat, and fatigue—to severe cases like pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Testing is most accurate early in infection, but challenges remain for recovering patients. The poultry industry faces significant losses, with egg prices soaring due to culling. Experts stress the need for global cooperation to prevent a repeat of COVID-19’s chaotic early days, warning that the outbreak is unfolding “in slow motion” and demands urgent action to curb its spread and mitigate risks.