Virologist Drosten warns of possible new pandemic
The avian flu is spreading at an unprecedented rate in the USA and has been detected in milk products. The data situation is still limited. Christian Drosten, the chief virologist at Berlin's Charité, is concerned about the outbreak of a new pandemic.
Christian Drosten, the chief virologist at Berlin's Charité, has described the spread of avian flu in the USA as a potential trigger for a coming pandemic. The virus has appeared in dairy cattle herds in the USA and has even been detected in milk products in commerce, Drosten warned. "This has never happened before, such extensive outbreaks among chickens - all experts are concerned."
The spread of avian flu among livestock could also "run its course harmlessly, the virus needs several steps to adapt, and perhaps it is already under control," Drosten added further. "But it could also be the beginning of the next pandemic that we are following live."
However, for a more accurate assessment, a better data insight is lacking, explained the virologist. "We don't know yet how often people are getting infected who have contact with these infected chickens." It is desirable that in the USA they are now taking decisive action: "With quarantine. That is, attempting to isolate infected herds; checking where people had contact, if they have antibodies in their blood. Thinking about certain hygiene measures. And also about vaccinating cows."
Recently, an expert report criticized that the world is not prepared for future pandemics. "If H5N1 were to transmit from bird to human, the world would likely be very challenged again," warned the former New Zealand prime minister and co-author of the study, Helen Clark. An avian flu pandemic could "potentially be even more catastrophic than Corona."
Drosten emphasized the importance of enhanced education and preparation in the USA, stating, "It's crucial that the USA takes decisive action, such as implementing quarantine measures, contact tracing, and hygiene practices, to safeguard against further avian flu spread." Furthermore, he expressed his concern about the global readiness for pandemics, agreeing with Helen Clark's expert report that stated, "If avian flu transmits from bird to human, as with H5N1, the world could face another significant challenge, unlike what we experienced with Corona."
