The new, alarming bird flu spreading among American birds may be here to stay

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It’s quite surprising that it is so widespread in North America, says Jonathan Runstadler a Tufts University influenza researcher. It’s clear that it can persist and transmit year after year in Europe, Asia, and Africa. I don’t think anyone should be surprised if this is the case here.

The virus will spread across the country and possibly settle in for the long term. It may also encounter new species of animals that could be infected. This pathogen could also be infected by flu viruses already in circulation in the U.S.

“What that means for virus evolution, how it changes, we don’t really understand,” said Richard Webby a flu researcher at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Only one human case has been reported.

The risk to human health seems low so far.

Public health experts are monitoring for signs of genetic change that could allow the virus to spread into humans, as related bird flu viruses have infected people many times before.

“We are concerned about any avian flu virus that is circulating in domestic birds or wild birds,” states Todd Davis. He is an expert on animal-to-human diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Because humans don’t have any immunity to these viruses, it is possible that they could infect other people and spread the virus to others.