The World Health Organization has expressed concern about the spread of H5N1 avian influenza to humans. Global health organizations have noted that bird flu has an “extremely high” mortality rate for humans.

Since its emergence in 2020, the virus has killed tens of millions of poultry. Recent reports indicate that the virus has spread to various mammalian species, including domestic cattle in the United States, raising the possibility of human transmission.

World Health Organization chief scientist Jeremy Farrar sounded the alarm about the spread of bird flu cases to humans at a news conference in Geneva.

Farrar mark A(H5N1) variant Known as a “global zoonotic pandemic.”

He said: “Certainly the most worrying thing is that in the process of infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, this virus has now evolved and developed the ability to infect humans and then What matters is the ability to spread from person to person.”

Surprisingly, cattle and goats were found to be susceptible to the virus last month, with a person from texas He reportedly recovered from bird flu after being exposed to cows. Additionally, 16 cattle in six states were infected, possibly due to exposure to wild birds.

Although human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed, the mortality rate People infected through animals Due to the lack of natural immunity, exposure rates are alarmingly high.

The World Health Organization stated that from the beginning of 2023 to April 1 this year, 889 human cases and 463 deaths had been recorded in 23 countries, with a case fatality rate of 52%.

The recent case of a man in Texas contracting bird flu highlights the rising risk of the virus getting closer to humans. “This virus is just looking for new, novel hosts,” Farrar warned.

He stressed the importance of increased surveillance to track human infections and viral adaptation. He noted that if the virus begins to spread among humans, it could create a vicious cycle.

WHO scientists say they are working hard to develop H5N1 influenza vaccines and treatments. Farrar stressed the need to strengthen the diagnostic capabilities of global health authorities. He called for equitable access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tools to ensure a rapid response when human-to-human transmission occurs.

(With input from AFP)