First Human Death from H5N1 Bird Flu Reported in the US

Genetic analysis of the virus revealed mutations that likely exacerbated the severity of the illness. Since the outbreak began in March 2024, there have been 66 confirmed cases of human infection with H5N1 in the U.S.

Low Risk of Human-to-Human Transmission
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has emphasized that, at this stage, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1. However, experts warn that continued viral mutations could heighten this risk, posing a serious public health concern.

Preparedness for a Potential Pandemic
The British government has announced its readiness with millions of doses of an H5 flu vaccine, which would be deployed if human-to-human transmission were confirmed. For now, the vaccine remains a contingency measure.

This development underscores the need for global vigilance and coordinated efforts to prevent the virus from evolving into a greater threat.