Deadly Virus Spiraling Out of Control: Is a New Global Pandemic Inevitable?
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Stars (2 / 1) 17.06.2025 14:16 von Julia Symbolbild imago
Mass Killings and Growing Concerns - Why is the Epidemic Getting Out of Control?
The bird flu has already had devastating consequences in the USA: More than 160 million poultry had to be slaughtered, over 1,000 herds of livestock are affected. Infections have also been registered in humans - one person has already died. However, the US health authority currently still classifies the risk to the general population as "low". But for how much longer? Critics accuse Donald Trump's administration of ignoring the crisis. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and cuts in research have further weakened capacities for monitoring and containing the virus. The Global Virus Network speaks of a "catastrophic inactivity".
Europe Also Affected - How Big is the Threat Here?
The H5N1 virus is not a new phenomenon - it was first discovered in 1996. But since 2020, outbreaks in birds and mammals, particularly in dairy cows, have been on the rise. Hardly any infected bird survives the disease. The current outbreak is no longer confined to the USA - Europe is also affected. How big is the risk of a global pandemic? And what can we do to prevent it? A question that will test world health in the coming months.