Top US experts are warning that America faces the threat of another pandemic as bird flu spreads rapidly across farms. The H5N1 outbreak has hit nearly 1,000 dairy cow herds and caused over 70 human cases, including the first confirmed death.

UK experts also raised alarms after detecting the world’s first case of bird flu in sheep. Virus specialists highlight the “repeated spillover” of H5N1 into mammals and its pandemic potential. The Global Virus Network (GVN) urged immediate action to understand and halt transmission and to educate the public about the risks.

H5N1 symptoms often resemble flu, including cough, sore throat, fatigue, and more serious respiratory infections like pneumonia. Diagnosis requires lab testing, typically from throat, nose, or eye swabs, with early samples offering the most accurate results.

In January, the first US bird flu death occurred in a Louisiana patient over 65 with underlying health conditions. Genetic analysis suggested the virus mutated inside the patient. Meanwhile, California declared a state of emergency after identifying H5N1 in 645 dairy herds, with rapid spread seen within 30 days.

Experts like Professor Paul Hunter warn the virus could evolve to spread more easily among humans, risking a future pandemic. However, the current public threat remains low. Humans usually get infected through direct contact with infected animals, not by eating properly cooked poultry.