The Economist explains

Will avian flu be the next human pandemic?

The virus has spread from birds to mammals, heightening the risk

TOPSHOT - A pelican suspected to have died from H5N1 avian influenza is seen on a beach in Lima, on December 1, 2022. - The highly contagious H5N1 avian flu virus has killed thousands of pelicans, blue-footed boobies and other seabirds in Peru, according to the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR). (Photo by Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP) (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

THE LARGEST-EVER recorded outbreak of avian influenza is tearing through populations of poultry and wild birds across the world. There are growing fears that it might pose a risk to humans, too. On February 8th Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation, warned that the world had to prepare for a possible bird-flu pandemic. How worried should humankind be?

From the February 18th 2023 edition

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