Scarier than Covid-19. Scientists Warn of a New Pandemic Threat 0 14

Scientists have issued a warning following the death of a poultry farmer from the H5N5 virus. The Pasteur Institute was one of the first laboratories in Europe to develop tests for COVID-19.

The threat of avian influenza pandemics is growing as the virus becomes increasingly "adaptive." For several years, avian influenza has been recorded in a large number of wild birds, domestic poultry, and animals in zoos. In rare cases, humans become infected. The virus is transmitted through the air via inhalation of contaminated dust particles and droplets, as well as through contact with animal droppings that contain the virus.

"The avian influenza pandemic is likely to be very serious, possibly even worse than the pandemic we have already experienced."

"Humans have antibodies against seasonal influenza, but not against the H5N5 avian influenza virus," said Marie-Anne Remy-Velti, head of the Respiratory Infections Center at the Pasteur Institute, to Reuters.

"Humans have antibodies against seasonal influenza, but not against the H5N5 avian influenza virus." French researchers are concerned that avian influenza viruses may adapt to mammals and be transmitted from human to human. Consequently, such influenza viruses could be deadly even for healthy individuals.

However, other experts believe that the world is generally well-prepared for potential new pandemics. "We have learned lessons from the crisis caused by the coronavirus," said Gregorio Torres, head of the scientific department of the World Organisation for Animal Health. Human infection cases are rare. He assesses the risk of a pandemic for humans as low. Additionally, there are vaccines against avian influenza viruses. Currently, there is no scientific evidence of transmission of the virus from human to human. Therefore, people not working in agriculture are advised to avoid contact with wild birds.