The UK's health authority is preparing to initiate a ‘public health response’ following the emergence of a new strain of bird flu that has, for the first time, transmitted from mammals to humans this March.

For many years, the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 largely affected birds and only occasionally infected humans. To prevent the virus from spreading to other species, hundreds of millions of birds have been culled globally. However, these containment measures have been unsuccessful.

In March, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a dairy worker in Texas had contracted avian flu from a cow. This marks the first recorded instance of mammal-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus globally.

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Health authorities have since began work to contain a multi-state outbreak affecting both cattle and poultry across 13 states. Since April, four dairy workers have tested positive for bird flu, specifically H5N1.

This month, the CDC confirmed an additional six cases among poultry workers, with a seventh case still under investigation.

Although these human cases have been mild and isolated, with patients exhibiting typical flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, the situation remains concerning.

The first case of mammal-to-human H5N1 was transmitted in March between a Texan dairy worker and cowThe first case of mammal-to-human H5N1 was transmitted in March between a Texan dairy worker and cow

In response to the evolving situation, countries are increasing surveillance efforts and stockpiling vaccines as concerns grow over the potential for a new human pandemic.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has updated its risk assessment in light of the outbreak. Dr. Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor of UKHSA, stated: “The recent outbreak in US dairy cattle demonstrates that influenza A(H5N1) continues to infect new mammals and spread between them.

“While the current risk to the UK population from influenza A(H5N1) virus remains very low, an outbreak of this kind can increase the opportunities the virus has to evolve to spread between people at some point in the future. This is because the virus may adapt directly during transmission between mammals or may reassort with other flu viruses in humans or other mammals.

She added: “UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely alongside Defra, DHSC, Animal and Plant Health Agency and Food Standards Agency.

“UKHSA has established preparations in place for detections of human cases of avian flu and stands ready to initiate an appropriate public health response should it be needed.”