As H5N1 bird flu continues to tighten its grip in the USA, concerns of the virus triggering a new pandemic have intensified. The unprecedented rise in bird flu cases this year has also led the federal government to intensify efforts in the development of new vaccines. With the virus spreading rapidly, experts are now closely watching for signs that it could mutate to become airborne and transmit between humans. While this scenario remains uncertain, the potential for another pandemic has researchers and public health officials on high alert.
For the past many months, the virus has been wreaking havoc in poultry farms, leading to the culling of millions of birds. It has also been spreading among cows. Bird flu has also infected dozens of people, with one reported death in Louisiana. Although current strains of H5N1 do not spread from person to person, past research suggests that certain mutations could enable airborne transmission.
