What to know about the risks of the bird flu outbreak

The U.S. is currently experiencing an outbreak of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, which has notably spread to dairy cattle, causing concern among scientists due to its unusual behavior. This outbreak, first identified in North America in late 2021 among wild migratory birds, has since affected not only poultry but also dairy cows and has been linked to a human infection. This situation is raising questions about the potential for human risk, although the virus has not shown significant mutations indicating increased danger to humans. The infected individual, having direct contact with cattle, exhibited minor symptoms, highlighting the rare and typically mild nature of human infections from this strain. However, the appearance of the virus in mammals, including cows, is unprecedented and could offer the virus more opportunities to mutate. Scientists are closely monitoring the genetic changes in the virus, noting some “minor changes” but nothing that suggests an enhanced ability to spread among humans or cause severe disease. Despite these concerns, human-to-human transmission remains extremely rare. The outbreak emphasizes the importance of monitoring animal health to prevent further spread and mutations that could potentially pose greater risks to humans. Federal health officials assure the public that preparations, including vaccines, are in place for dealing with avian flu outbreaks, keeping the risk to humans low.

Source: NPR