H5N1 Bird Flu Mutation Raises Pandemic Concerns

The H5N1 bird flu virus, which has been spreading globally since 2020, now shows increased potential to infect humans due to a mutation that enhances its ability to bind to human receptors, potentially allowing human-to-human transmission. Researchers from the Scripps Research Institute have raised concerns about a possible pandemic, although the current risk remains low. Despite this, the presence of the virus in California dairy cows and outbreaks in poultry and wild birds highlight the need for continuous monitoring. New cases in North Dakota have prompted containment measures, and Hawaii has reported avian flu cases leading to the euthanization of affected birds. Experts stress the importance of ongoing surveillance and research to prevent further mutations that could increase the virus's pandemic potential.