Experts have raised the alarm over rising bird flu cases. (Image: Getty)
Scientists have warned the risk of bird flu becoming the next pandemic is rising after concerning reports of severe infections.
Researchers have raised the alarm after it emerged the virus that typically affects birds began to infect cows last year.
It also jumped to humans in America, infecting 68 people and killing one.
While many of these have been mild infections, new variants of the avian influenza virus H5N1 spreading across the US and Canada threaten to cause severe disease when passed directly from birds to humans.
Seema Lakdawala, an influenza virologist at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta told told : “The risk has increased as we’ve gone on — especially in the last couple of months, with the report of [some] severe infections.”
Bird flu cases are soaring in the US and UK. (Image: Getty)
:
There are two main variants of concern – B3.13 and D1.1.
B3.13 is spreading mainly in cows, and D1.1 is largely found in wild and domesticated birds, including poultry.
More than 900 herds across 16 US states have suffered a B.13 outbreak, which has also spread to other animals, including cats.
High levels of the virus can be found in infected cows and their milk, which risks the pathogen easily being transmitted between animals and dairy farm workers.
Meanwhile, in the UK, poultry farmers have called on the Government to enable poultry vaccinations amid a “devastating outbreak.”
Don’t miss… [REPORT]
A struct bird flu prevention zone enforces strict hygiene standards around domesticated birds across England, Wales and Scotland as cases surge.
Professor Andrew Preston, from the Milner Centre of Evolution and Department of Life Sciences at Bath University, said such a possibility was “one of the most feared infectious disease threats we face”.
But he added: “Thankfully, this is yet to happen during the current, prolonged H5N1 outbreak. This case appears to result from high levels of exposure of the individual to the virus due to their workplace contact with infected birds, a known risk factor for contracting the virus.”
He added: “This case highlights the continued threat posed by these avian viruses.
“The mixing of infected birds and other species is the major risk factor for adaptation of the virus to new host species and high vigilance for instances of this is essential to containing any possible onward transmission.”
Dr Alastair Ward, programme lead for zoology at the University of Leeds, said genetic changes that make avian flu more likely to jump to humans and transmit between them were happening but “they have not been detected in the UK”.
He added: “Risks to the general public likely remain very low. Risks to people who work in close contact with birds, particularly ducks, geese, swans, chickens and turkeys are greater, but can be reduced by implementing biosecurity best-practice, including use of PPE and disinfection when making contact with birds or material that has been contaminated by them.”