Economist Podcasts Dicky birds: the next pandemic?
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Jul 19, 2024 
Slavia Chankova, The Economist's healthcare correspondent, examines the looming threat of a bird flu pandemic, discussing its potential to leap from animals to humans. Meanwhile, Rebecca Jackson, the Southern correspondent, sheds light on the often-overlooked roles of white women in the American slave trade, revealing their active participation in nearly 30% of slave transactions. The conversation navigates historical narratives and the complexities of gender roles in economic transactions, making for a captivating blend of current and historical topics.
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Pandemic Preparedness
- The UK wasn't prepared for a pandemic like COVID-19, focusing too much on influenza.
- A new pandemic is inevitable, and bird flu (H5N1) is a current concern due to its spread in mammals.
H5N1 in America
- New human cases of H5N1 have emerged in America, linked to an outbreak in dairy cows.
- While these cases have been mild, the possibility of a more severe pandemic strain exists.
Bird Flu's Evolution
- H5N1 has been around for decades, occasionally infecting humans with a high fatality rate.
- Recent adaptations allowing mammal-to-mammal transmission raise pandemic concerns.