Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has been a source of concern for public health officials for many years. It is a highly contagious disease in birds, but can sometimes also be transmitted to humans. In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the possibility of a new bird flu pandemic in humans.
The threat of a bird flu pandemic is real and growing. Bird flu viruses are constantly evolving and mutating, which can allow the virus to jump species. This has been shown with the recent discovery of avian flu in otters and foxes in the UK.
Bird Flu In The UK
An outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, H5N1 has been ongoing in the UK since October 2022. It has affected both wild and captive birds, including poultry, in many locations across the UK.
In addition to birds, the H5N1 bird flu has now also been found in otters and foxes in the UK. It is likely that foxes and otters ate wild bird carcasses that had a high viral load of avian influenza. This means that the transmission to mammals was not necessarily caused by mutations in the virus.
Until the transmission to mammals is better understood, however, it potentially increases the risk of the virus being transmitted to humans.
What Is The Likelihood Of A Bird Flu Pandemic In Humans?
The likelihood of a bird flu pandemic in humans remains very hard to predict. The risk, however, is certainly increasing due to the evolution and mutation of bird flu viruses. The threat of a pandemic is also a topic of ongoing concern and speculation among health experts. There are several factors that suggest the risk of a bird flu pandemic in humans is increasing.
First, bird flu viruses are constantly evolving and mutating. This increases the risk of the virus being transmitted from birds to mammals including humans. In addition, the widespread global trade of birds and poultry products, as well as the movement of migratory birds, contributes to the spread of bird flu strains. The recent discovery of avian flu in mammals in the UK highlights the threat of transmission to other species.
Despite these concerns, it is important to note that bird flu might not cause a human pandemic. For a pandemic to occur, the virus must be able to infect humans and be easily spread from person to person. Currently, human cases of bird flu have been caused by infection direct from birds. Bird flu does not easily transmit from human to human.
While the threat of a bird flu pandemic in humans cannot be completely eliminated, it is a fairly low risk. As preppers, however, we should still be prepared for any emergency. If bird flu does mutate to transmit easily from human to human, a pandemic could take hold easily. Make sure you are prepared to cope with a pandemic by ensuring you have food, water and supplies that you need to shelter at home for an extended period. Check out our prepper’s lists to make sure you have everything you need.
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