BTN News: Ex-CDC Director Robert Redfield is extremely concerned about the bird flu pandemic which he says can happen. attributed to In this Nov. 20, 2020 image from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a scanning electron microscope image He also underscored the high mortality rate in humans infected with bird flu versus with COVID-19 in a recent interview. Experts are calling for close monitoring of the evolution and potential dangers associated with the novel virus as it spreads among cattle in the US.
A bird flu pandemic is likely to be triggered next, former CDC chief offers grim prediction By his prediction, it is not a question of if, but when there will be an outbreak of that form. Bird flu, on the other hand, could have a mortality rate between 25%-50%, according to Redfield, if it gains the ability to spread well among humans.
Indeed, the US has announced it found a third human case of bird flu associated to slepper herds even as global cases arise. And no human-to-human transmission has been documented to date, but Redfield noted that very few genetic changes in bird flu would be necessary to make this a real pandemic threat.
Dissemination in Cattle and the Risk to Humans
The high-path avian influenza virus has now been detected in over 50 animal species with the latest detections found in US dairy cattle. While concerns in Europe focus on the possibility of transmission through livestock feed, US authorities blame most of the infections on wild birds. Redfield said there would be debate in the scientific community about practices such as feeding cattle with ground-up chicken waste as risk factors, but stressed the virus’s capacity to evolve and transmit between people would be foremost.
The Pressure to Avoid Genetic Mutations and Minimize Pandemic Potential
Dr. Redfield emphasized the genetic determinants that are so vital for the virus to attach to the human receptor and to jump from person to person. In particular he raised alarm given the previous scientific experiments that identified which amino acid substitutions the virus needed to jump species and become easily transmissible in humans. Additional knowledge, he said, underlines the need for vigilance and preparedness.
Preparedness and Response Ahead
The global health authorities were watching the developments very closely and their focus is on surveillance and early detection in the containment phase. In a corresponding editorial, Redfield emphasizes the need for preparedness which he claims we could have achieved from studying previous pandemics along with strong international collaboration in surveillance and control of potential outbreak.
Conclusion
The threat of a bird flu pandemic is very real, and Robert Redfield’s words are a chilling reminder of the virus’ catastrophic blow. This is a pivotal moment in pandemic preparedness for the international community as research progresses and surveillance efforts increase. It will be imperative to remain vigilant through enhanced scientific cooperation and the taking of preventive actions, in order to manage the risks that come with the threat as it continues to evolve.
