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H5N1 Bird Flu Detected in U.S. Livestock, Raises Pandemic Concerns

The detection of H5N1 bird flu in U.S. cattle and its spread among other species has heightened concerns about its potential to evolve for human transmission.

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Cows are seen at Morning Star Dairy Farm in Onalaska, Wisconsin, on October 4, 2020. - In western Wisconsin, where family-run dairy farms dot the rolling green hills and eagle-watchers peer into the sparkling marshland, signs for Donald Trump and Joe Biden stand directly across each other on neighbors' yards. In a polarized United States where Democrats and Republicans increasingly self-segregate, this stretch of the Upper Midwest alongside the Mississippi River looks as close as regions get -- and, if the November 3 vote is tight, it could prove pivotal for the whole election. (Photo by Kerem Yucel / AFP) (Photo by KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • H5N1 bird flu has been detected in U.S. cattle, marking a significant leap in interspecies transmission.
  • A dairy worker in the U.S. has contracted the virus, underscoring the potential human health risks.
  • Experts warn that the virus's evolution could lead to efficient human-to-human transmission, raising pandemic concerns.
  • Current vaccines and antivirals may not be fully effective against this new strain, highlighting the need for rapid development of new treatments.
  • The situation demands urgent action to enhance diagnostic capabilities and prepare for possible human outbreaks.