882 human cases of H5N1 infection have been reported from 23 countries.

Bird flu, a disease known as H5N1, has been in the spotlight recently as scientists, governments and conspiracy theorists prepare for a potential pandemic. However, one scientist’s warning suggests another pandemic may already be happening. subway.

Dr. Diana Bell, professor of conservation biology at the University of East Anglia, pointed out that avian influenza has been spreading rapidly since 2020.

The disease first appeared in domestic geese in China in 1997 and has since spread to all continents, affecting a variety of non-avian species in addition to birds, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. news media.

A recent study Dr. Bell highlighted that since 2020, 26 countries have reported infection with the virus in many mammalian species. Even polar bears and dolphins have been affected, with shocking death tolls across various animal species.

Human cases have also been reported, with 882 cases of avian influenza occurring in 23 countries last year, with a worrying 52% fatality rate. Infections between poultry and humans are particularly common in some Asian countries, raising concerns about the potential for the virus to adapt and become more contagious.

While the origins of Covid-19 remain uncertain, there are similarities with avian influenza in that both are thought to originate from zoonotic spillover events, where viruses jump from animals to humans.

Although human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has not yet become widespread, the World Health Organization still considers it a significant epidemic threat.

Dr Bell stressed the urgent need for research and surveillance to understand the virus’s adaptability and potential to infect more species.

However, the current focus remains on mitigating its impact on bird populations, which have suffered devastating losses worldwide.

To address the root causes, Dr Bell advocated for a radical overhaul of global poultry farming practices, emphasizing the need to move away from intensive farming methods. This shift could help prevent future outbreaks and curb the spread of avian influenza, ultimately safeguarding the health of animals and humans.