Another Pandemic But ‘100 Times Worse Than Covid’? Here is How to Protect Yourself Form Deadly H5N1 Flu

Experts have sounded caution on a potential H5N1pandemic that could be fatal and even more dangerous than Covid. Read on to know on how to stay safe.

Anxieties have risen after experts sounded alarm bells about a pandemic that could be more dangerous and fatal than Covid. Bird flu or H5N1 is another strain that can infect animals and humans. Recently, in a briefing about the strain, experts discussed that this bird flu virus is inching closer to a tipping point where it could potentially become a pandemic threat.  “This appears to be 100 times worse than COVID — or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate,” John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant for vaccines and the founder of Canada-based BioNiagara said. Around 52 per cent of humans who have contracted H5N1 since 2003 have died, according to the World Health Organization.

The bird flu pandemic with the potential to be “100 times worse than COVID” may be on the horizon after a rare human case was discovered in Texas, experts have warned, the New York Post reported on Thursday. The H5N1 avian flu has spread rapidly since a new strain was detected in 2020 affecting wild birds in every state, as well as in commercial poultry and backyard flocks.

But the recent cases detected in mammals, with cattle herds across four states becoming infected and on Monday, federal health officials announced that a dairy worker in Texas caught the virus.

“This virus on the top of the pandemic list for many, many years and probably decades,” Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher from Pittsburgh, said at a recent panel discussing the issue, the New York Post reported citing the Daily Mail. “And now we’re getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic.” He noted that the H5N1 virus has already been detected in species throughout the world

“If avian A  influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large-scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defences against H5 viruses in humans,” the Food Safety Authority said.

H5N1 Bird Flu Symptoms in Humans:

A recent infected person did not have all symptoms but complained of having redness in eyes. Some people might be asymptomatic and other signs are majorly similar to any other flu.

• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Persistent headaches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

Preventive Tips

1. Wash hands after contact with a contaminated surface
2. Wear a mask when handling birds
3. Countries should increase public awareness
4. Avoid contact with high-risk environments such as live animal markets/farms, live poultry, or
5. Be vigilant and avoid surfaces that may be contaminated by poultry or bird faeces.

(With agency inputs)