WHO Warns Escalating Spread of Bird Flu to Humans Poses 'Significant Concern'

The World Health Organization expressed deep concern on Thursday regarding the increasing spread of H5N1 bird flu to various species, including humans, who are facing an "extremely high" mortality rate. "This remains a significant concern," stated Jeremy Farrar, the chief scientist of the UN health agency, during a press briefing in Geneva. The current outbreak of bird flu originated in 2020, resulting in the deaths of millions of poultry and infecting wild birds, as well as land and marine mammals.

Last month, cows and goats were added to the list of affected species, surprising experts as they were previously not considered susceptible to this type of influenza. The A (H5N1) strain has now evolved into "a global zoonotic animal pandemic," Farrar remarked. "The major concern is that by infecting ducks, chickens, and now mammals, the virus could develop the ability to infect humans and, crucially, to spread from human to human." Currently, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the influenza A(H5N1) virus. However, in the rare instances where humans have been infected through animal contact, "the mortality rate is extremely high," Farrar emphasized. From 2003 to April 1 this year, the WHO reported 463 deaths out of 889 human cases across 23 countries, resulting in a case fatality rate of 52 percent. In a concerning development, US authorities recently announced that a person in Texas was recovering from bird flu after exposure to dairy cattle. This marked only the second case of human infection with bird flu in the country and the first known case of transmission from an infected mammal to a human.

"When the virus enters the mammalian population, it poses a closer threat to humans," Farrar warned, highlighting the virus's search for new hosts as a real concern. He urged for enhanced monitoring to understand the extent of human infections, emphasizing the importance of early detection to prevent further spread. Efforts are underway to develop vaccines and treatments for H5N1, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to these resources worldwide. "We need to be prepared to respond immediately if H5N1 crosses over to humans with human-to-human transmission," Farrar stressed, advocating for global cooperation and access to essential medical tools.