Global Bird Flu Outbreak Sparks New Precautions

The world is facing a severe outbreak of bird flu, termed a 'panzootic', caused by the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus, affecting birds and some mammals globally except in Australia, where other strains have been detected. Australia's CSIRO is actively testing and informing authorities about the situation, while in the U.S., bird flu has spread to cattle, with human cases rising to eight. Iowa State University researchers have identified cattle mammary glands as potential entry points for the virus, raising concerns about cross-species transmission. The CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low but emphasizes precautionary measures for workers in contact with infected animals. Efforts are underway to explore vaccines and enhance surveillance to control the outbreak.