In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has shaken the world, global health authorities are actively preparing for new outbreaks of infections that could pose a serious threat to humanity. Among the greatest challenges facing health authorities are malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. These diseases claim more than 2 million lives annually and continue to cause concern in society.
However, the influenza A virus subtype H5N1, known as “bird flu,” is of particular interest today. This virus has long infected wild and domestic birds, such as chickens, but has recently been reported in dairy cattle in the United States and in horses in Mongolia. As a result, health authorities have begun to pay renewed attention to the risk of human transmission.
In 2023, 61 cases of bird flu were reported in the United States, a significant increase from previous years. At the same time, the mortality rate of this virus in humans is up to 30%, making H5N1 a serious threat to public health. Although the virus is not currently transmitted from person to person, studies have shown that a single mutation could change this situation, allowing the virus to spread among humans and become the source of a new pandemic.
Given the risk, the UK government has already purchased 5 million doses of avian flu vaccine, preparing for possible threats in 2025. This move is part of an overall strategy aimed at preparing for a pandemic, as well as preventing the possible socio-economic consequences of the spread of the virus among animals.
Even if H5N1 is not transmissible between humans, its impact on animal health, the economy and the food supply is already being felt, making it essential to be prepared for such threats.
These challenges reinforce the concept of "One Health", which emphasizes the importance of the interrelationship between human, animal and environmental health. Only by studying these connections and responding to new threats in a timely manner will humanity be able to effectively combat infectious diseases in the future.
The spread of viruses such as H5N1 forces the global community to mobilize and be prepared for any scenario. Therefore, it is important not only to carry out vaccination and actively monitor the situation, but also to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against infections that could pose a threat to global security.
