**Bird Flu Threat: Experts Warn of Pandemic Risk**
Top US experts are warning of a potential pandemic as bird flu (H5N1) spreads rapidly across farms. “America is staring down the barrel of another pandemic,” they said, with the virus affecting nearly 1,000 US dairy herds and over 70 human cases, including the first confirmed death in Louisiana.
In the UK, seven human cases have been reported since 2021, and scientists recently detected the world’s first case of bird flu in sheep. Experts from the Global Virus Network warned of “repeated spillover” into mammals and said the US poultry industry is at serious risk.
Dr. Marc Johnson, virologist at the University of Missouri, cautioned that the virus “is trying really hard” to go pandemic. A genetic analysis from a US case suggests the virus may be mutating in humans.
Bird flu symptoms often resemble flu: “cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, and fever.” Severe cases can lead to pneumonia. US health officials stress early testing is vital, as “laboratory testing is needed” to confirm infections.
UK scientists model possible human outbreaks, warning death rates could range from 0.25% to 5%, depending on the scenario. Though the current public risk is low, experts urge immediate global action.
