Bird flu could spark next pandemic, Australian experts warn
Newcastle disease experts say bird flu could become a human pandemic, though the virus currently shows no genetic adaptation to humans.
Professor Joshua Davis from Hunter Medical Research Institute says the virus lacks genetic markers for human adaptation. If adaptation occurred, it would be severe because the virus is highly pathogenic.
Professor Nathan Bartlett agrees it is definitely plausible. Different flu viruses can mix in animals like pigs, which caused the swine flu pandemic.
The World Health Organisation confirms current strains show no sustained human-to-human transmission. Experts stress the need for early detection through surveillance systems like FluTracking, which monitors respiratory illnesses and screens samples for unknown viruses.
- Mixing of human, pig and avian viruses
- Swine flu origin
- FluTracking monitors respiratory illnesses
- Key surveillance tool
Why it mattersUnderstanding pandemic risk shapes public health surveillance and preparedness so authorities can detect threats early.
AustraliaAustralian researchers leading pandemic preparedness research; FluTracking surveillance system monitoring respiratory illnesses across Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
