Bird Flu H5N1: Experts Warn of Potential Pandemic

Avian flu H5N1: A potential pandemic? Avian influenza H5N1 is rapidly spreading among birds and mammals, causing global concern about a potential human pandemic. The virus, known as 'bird flu,' is exhibiting unprecedented behavior, prompting experts to warn of its potential to cause widespread human infection. "This highly pathogenic virus keeps on doing the unexpected," explains a leading virologist. The video, produced by CGTN Europe, features interviews with experts from the Erasmus Medical Centre, providing insights into the virus's characteristics. The experts explain that the virus's name, H5N1, is derived from the subtypes of hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins it possesses. These proteins are crucial for the virus's ability to infect cells. Hemagglutinin helps the virus attach to host cells, while neuraminidase facilitates the release of newly produced virus particles. There are 19 known hemagglutinin subtypes and 11 known neuraminidase subtypes, meaning a vast number of influenza combinations are possible. H1N1, responsible for the 1918 pandemic and seasonal flu, and H3N2, another seasonal flu strain, are examples of these combinations. The current H5N1 strain underscores the unpredictable nature of influenza viruses and the need for continued monitoring and preparedness. The situation demands a global collaborative effort to mitigate the risk of a potential human pandemic.