Bird flu is spreading massively – expert speaks of “animal pandemic”

Bird flu (H5N1) is spreading to more and more animal species. An expert speaks of an “animal pandemic” and warns of the consequences for humans.

Bremen – A spread of the bird flu pathogen H5N1 in more and more ways let the World Health Organization (WHO) Sound the alarm. Cattle and goats are also affected. A person recently became infected with the virus from dairy cattle in the USA. The virus is “coming closer to people” by infecting mammals, explains WHO chief scientist Jeremy Farrar on Thursday (April 18) in Geneva.

Experts worried: Bird flu is spreading massively – people are infected by cattle

The virus has become a global “animal pandemic” and the fact that H5N1 no longer only affects birds warrants “enormous concern,” explained Farrar. In addition to poultry farm animals and wild birds The virus could now also be detected in mammals on land and sea. What surprised experts: Cows and goats recently joined the list of species affected by the virus.

The illness of an American in the state of Texas also caused concern in April. He contracted the virus from dairy cattle, which, according to the WHO, apparently marks the first human infection with H5N1 from a mammal. Livestock herds had previously been infected with H5N1 from wild birds in several states in the USA.

Bird flu virus spreads through the animal kingdom: 52 percent mortality in humans

With the infection for mammals the virus also approaches humans. The disease is characterized by a high mortality rate. Between 2003 and April 1, 2024, a total of 889 people worldwide became ill. Of these, 463 ended fatally, which corresponds to a mortality rate of 52 percent.

Monitoring the infection process: access to possible medications and vaccinations necessary

Farrar calls for people to closely monitor the infection process. National and regional health authorities should have the capacity to detect the virus. This should make it possible to react as quickly as possible if the virus is transmitted from person to person. In addition, everyone must have access to vaccines and medications against H5N1. The development of this has already started. By observing the infection process, it can become clear how many people have already been infected. This is important “because that’s where the adaptation (of the virus) will happen,” explains Farrar.

Also the Robert Koch Institute RKI is already providing information on its website about the new developments with the H5N1 bird flu virus. However, the risk of infection is low: “The risk of people becoming infected with bird flu viruses through contact with sick/dead mammals (wild, stray or kept as pets) is assessed as low,” says the RKI. (cal/AFP)