WHO or national health department reports

H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads Among Animals, Raising Zoonotic Risk

Dec 13, 2024, 02:26 PM

The H5N1 avian influenza virus, also known as bird flu, has emerged as a significant threat to both animal and human health, with recent developments raising concerns about its potential to cause a human pandemic. The virus has been detected in various species, including horses, cats, and dairy cows, with evidence suggesting it can spread undetected among these animals. In California, the virus has infected over 600 dairy herds, and there have been 58 confirmed human cases in the U.S. this year, primarily among agricultural workers. Despite the high number of infections in animals, human-to-human transmission remains rare, but the virus's ability to adapt to mammalian hosts, as observed in South Dakota cats, signals a potential for increased zoonotic risk. Health officials are urging enhanced biosecurity measures to prevent further spread among animals, while also monitoring for any signs of human infections.