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Is America on the brink of sparking a new flu pandemic?
The Telegraph • • health
Key Points:
- The H5N1 avian flu virus is spreading rapidly through US cattle herds and mink farms, with 75 human infections and three deaths reported since 2022, raising concerns about a potential flu pandemic in the US.
- Cuts to federal health agencies under the Trump administration have reduced surveillance and response capabilities, allowing the virus to spread unchecked and increasing the risk of human adaptation.
- The virus’s spread in cattle is particularly concerning because infected animals often show no symptoms, leading to widespread movement of infected herds across states and increased human exposure.
- Scientists fear that reassortment between H5N1 and seasonal human flu viruses could create a new strain capable of efficient human-to-human transmission, potentially triggering a global pandemic.
- Despite evidence of outbreaks on mink farms, authorities have been reluctant to intervene strongly, prioritizing economic interests over public health, while vaccine development and preparedness efforts have been hampered by policy decisions.
