New Pandemics: The infection of a virus many times more dangerous than COVID-19 is increasing rapidly, is another pandemic coming?
In the last months of the year 2024, the infection of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in many countries of the world including China-India had raised concerns. However, the outbreak of this infectious disease has reduced significantly at the beginning of this year. Scientists were still trying to understand HMPV and its new mutations properly when the news of increasing cases of H5N1 virus in many countries raised a new concern.
If we look at international media reports, it is known that scientists have reported more than 9 mutations in a strain of H5N1 virus, which may increase both its infectivity and the complications caused by the infection. This month, the news of the first death in the US after coming in contact with infected chickens has increased the fear even more.
H5N1, also known as bird flu or avian influenza, has generally been considered to be very rare in cases of infection in humans.
In which countries is the infection increasing?
It is not that H5N1 is a new virus or experts are worried about it for the first time, yet the way it is infecting other animals including cows, apart from chickens, is definitely worrying. Cases of H5N1 in humans have been considered quite rare, however in the last few years this virus is not only spreading in humans but its mortality rate is also said to be very high.
According to local media reports, there has been a surge in bird flu cases in Israel. Apart from this, this highly infectious virus has been confirmed in many poultry farms in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has shared information about this and advised all people to remain cautious. There are reports of new strains of H5N1 being found in many parts of America as well.
This virus can be 100 times more infectious and dangerous than covid
Health experts have expressed concern about the potentially rapid spread of bird flu, due to which a large number of deaths are also expected. Some experts say that it can be 100 times more infectious and dangerous than Kovid-19.
Recently, during a briefing on new mutations of bird flu, experts have issued an alert expressing concern about the 'possibility of a new pandemic'. According to scientists, the virus is getting closer to a point where it can bring a worldwide epidemic. Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, a well-known bird flu expert in Pittsburgh, has warned that H5N1 is now increasing the risk to humans as well.
Why has this virus become so dangerous?
Researchers at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute conducted research on the risks and causes of increasing bird flu infection around the world. In the conclusion of the study, the team said that bird flu has been seen emerging as a cause of serious concern for health globally in the last few months. After a study conducted on mice, it has been found that the new mutations in the virus are capable of replicating (growing rapidly) in human cells.
It is worth noting here that this strain is different from the bird flu detected in cattle and raw milk in the last few months.
Infection in cows and virus found in milk
In recent months, experts had issued an alert after cases of bird flu (H5N1) infection were reported in cattle in some parts of the US. The CDC had said that this is the first time that this virus has been found in cows. After this, it also spread from cow to human.
In June last year, an alert was issued in India regarding the increase in cases of H5N1 virus. The central government issued an advisory regarding avian influenza and advised four states to take special precautions. The affected states were Andhra Pradesh (Nellore district), Maharashtra (Nagpur district), Jharkhand (Ranchi district) and Kerala (Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts). The central government has said that all states and union territories (UTs) should keep an eye on any unusual deaths in birds or chickens. Along with this, it is important for all people to avoid coming in close contact with them.