Pandemic Potential: Monitor Viral Evolution

The H5 virus has been under observation for nearly three decades due to its lethality in poultry and limited human infections, which have raised serious concerns about its potential to cause a pandemic. Recent findings of mammalian adaptations in the virus among sea lions and seals, combined with an ongoing outbreak in American cattle, signal an alarming evolution that could facilitate transmission between mammals and humans. Despite only mild cases reported from the outbreak, the potential for mutation into a more dangerous strain must be taken seriously, as the historical evidence of fatal outcomes in humans underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift containment efforts.