Overview

• The H5N1 bird flu virus has infected millions of birds and livestock, with 58 human cases reported in the U.S., mostly among farm workers exposed to infected animals.
• Concerns are growing over the virus's potential to mutate, especially through genetic reassortment with seasonal flu, which could enable human-to-human transmission.
• Household pets, including cats and dogs, are at risk of infection, likely through contact with contaminated sources such as raw milk or infected wildlife.
• Large-scale livestock farming and climate-related changes, such as altered bird migration patterns, are creating conditions that facilitate the virus's spread and mutation.
• Experts emphasize the importance of preventive measures, including government action to protect farm workers, improve testing, and reduce the likelihood of future pandemics.