bird flu

Bird flu is a viral infection that has evolved to affect mammals, including humans. The strain H5N1 was detected in poultry in Hong Kong in 1997 and has since caused hundreds of human infections. H5N1 made headlines in 2024 when dozens of poultry and dairy farmers in the US caught it from sick animals. Symptoms can include eye irritation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and pneumonia, which can be fatal. For now, the virus is only thought to spread to people via non-human animals, but it could evolve to pass from person to person. Stay informed with the latest news and insights from our expert coverage.