Bird flu experts are raising the alarm, warning that a new pandemic could be ‘100 times worse than Covid’.
The US is currently seeing an increase in bird flu cases, leading to fears of a potential new pandemic “100 times worse than Covid.” The strain currently affecting animals in the US, H5N1, is “dangerously close” to causing another global health crisis, which has prompted a response from President Joe Biden.
After a report on Monday about an American patient being the first case of bird flu passed from mammal to human, the White House issued a statement saying it is keeping a close eye on the situation.
The patient was given antiviral medication and only showed symptoms of red eyes. However, experts are worried about the growing threat of bird flu as it moves into unknown areas.
Dr Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher, said H5N1 is getting closer and closer to reaching the level of a pandemic, as it spreads in cows, cats, and now humans, reports the Express US.
The strain could change and spread among humans, and Dr Kuchipudi said it can infect a wide range of mammals, increasing the risk of a pandemic.
