Bird Flu Pandemic Threat Looms As Urban Possibly Underway, Warns Scientist
Concerns Rise over Possible Pandemic
Bird flu, scientifically known as H5N1, has garnered increasing attention in recent times, with scientists, governments, and conspiracy theorists fervently preparing for potential pandemics. However, a warning from a pioneering scientist has now struck an even more alarming note, claiming that a pandemic, other than bird flu, might already be in progress, as initially reported by premier news source, The Metro.
In a Race Against Time: Rapid Global Spread and Varied Impact
Dr. Diana Bell, a distinguished conservation biology professor hailing from the prestigious University of East Anglia, has made a shocking revelation about the rapid spread of bird flu since 2020. The alarming growth starts to cause significant concern and ignites the sense of urgency regarding existing and potential pandemics across the globe.
Bird flu, which first appeared among domestic geese in China in 1997, has, over the years, prevailed across continents, affecting not only avian species but also a wide range of other mammals and various ecosystems, according to the news outlet.
New Research Reveals Widespread Impact on Mammals
Research recently emphasized by Dr. Bell presents a stark scenario of 26 countries reporting multiple mammal species succumbing to the highly contagious virus since 2020. From polar bears to dolphins, various animals have fallen victim to bird flu, resulting in a substantial increase in the mortality rate among populations.
Human cases have also been reported, with a concerning number of 882 incidents of bird flu across 23 countries in the past year. The fatality rate of these cases has been a disconcerting 52%. The prevalence of poultry-to-human infections, particularly in certain Asian countries, raises significant concerns about the virus’s potential to adapt and become even more infectious.
Parallels with the Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic
As the origins of the Covid-19 virus remain shrouded in uncertainty, parallels can be drawn to bird flu. Both diseases are believed to have originated from zoonotic spillover events, where viruses successfully jump from animals to humans, resulting in unprecedented health crises.
Although the human-to-human transmission of bird flu has not been widely observed, it continues to be deemed a substantial pandemic threat by the esteemed World Health Organization.
Urgent Actions Needed: Understanding Adaptability and Countermeasures
Dr. Bell strongly emphasizes the urgent necessity for robust research and surveillance programs to comprehend the virus’s adaptability and evaluate its potential to infect even more species, including humans.
However, the primary focus currently revolves around mitigating the detrimental impact on bird populations, which have been ravaged by the virus on a catastrophic scale worldwide.
Addressing the root cause, Dr. Bell advocates for a comprehensive global overhaul of poultry farming practices. She underscores the immediate need to transition away from intensive farming methods, which have contributed to the emergence and spread of bird flu. Such a crucial shift holds the potential to prevent future outbreaks and effectively curb the widespread transmission of this virus, ultimately safeguarding the health and wellbeing of both animals and humans alike.
