The Economist explains

Will avian flu be the next human pandemic?

The virus has spread from birds to mammals, heightening the risk

TOPSHOT - A pelican suspected to have died from H5N1 avian influenza is seen on a beach in Lima, on December 1, 2022. - The highly contagious H5N1 avian flu virus has killed thousands of pelicans, blue-footed boobies and other seabirds in Peru, according to the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR). (Photo by Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP) (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

THE LARGEST-EVER recorded outbreak of avian influenza is tearing through populations of poultry and wild birds across the world. There are growing fears that it might pose a risk to humans, too. On February 8th Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation, warned that the world had to prepare for a possible bird-flu pandemic. How worried should humankind be?

Dr Tedros’s warning was prompted by the recent spread of H5N1, a subtype of the influenza virus, from birds to mammals. In recent weeks Peru has reported the deaths of 585 sea lions from H5N1. In October an outbreak was discovered on a mink farm in Spain. In Britain the virus has been found in foxes and otters.

This article appeared in the The Economist explains section of the print edition under the headline “Will avian flu be the next human pandemic?”

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