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How prepared is the world for a pandemic of bird flu in people?

Bird flu is infecting wild birds and poultry around the world. If it were to crossover into humans, some antiviral drugs are available but it would take time to develop a vaccine

By Clare Wilson

14 February 2023

A dead pelican, possibly infected with bird flu, in Lima, Peru, in December 2022

A dead pelican, possibly infected with bird flu, in Lima, Peru, in December 2022

Klebher Vasquez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A horde of influenza viruses is sweeping through wild bird populations around the world. If any gain the ability to spread between humans, we may face a deadly flu pandemic.

Last week, World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while the risk to humans is low, “we cannot assume that will remain the case and we must prepare for any change in the status quo”. So, how ready are we for such a pandemic?

Flu

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