Bird Flu Threat Intensifies in US and Europe, Spreading to Humans and Livestock

ISLAMABAD: The threat of bird flu is escalating in the US and Europe, with the virus now spreading to humans after severely affecting livestock. Experts are increasingly concerned about the risk of human-to-human transmission, raising fears of a larger outbreak.

Recent reports highlight the discovery of bird flu in a flock on a farm in northern Britain. The virus’s impact has caused a surge in egg prices in the US, and millions of chickens have been culled in an effort to curb its spread. Since 2022, 170 million chickens and turkeys have died in the US alone, prompting the country to double its egg imports from Brazil.

Additionally, bird flu symptoms have been reported in sheep for the first time in the UK. This was discovered during routine inspections on a farm already affected by the virus. In the US, the spread of bird flu among dairy livestock has led to increased monitoring by the government.

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Scientists are particularly worried about the potential for bird flu to spread to humans, as the virus can transfer from animals to humans, making it more difficult to control and raising the possibility of an epidemic.