Experts Warn Bird Flu Surge Could Spark Next Pandemic in the U.S.

Leading public health experts are sounding the alarm as bird flu continues to spread rapidly across U.S. farms, warning that the country may be on the brink of another pandemic.

The current outbreak of the H5N1 strain has impacted nearly 1,000 dairy cow herds and resulted in over 70 human infections, including the first confirmed fatality. Experts say the U.S. poultry industry is especially vulnerable—particularly in regions with dense farming operations and inconsistent use of protective measures.

Since 2022, more than 168 million birds have been lost to culling or infection, driving egg prices sharply higher and disrupting food supply chains.

While there is currently no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission, scientists caution that the virus could evolve. Mutations and genetic reassortments—when two viruses infect the same host and swap genetic material—may increase the risk of wider human spread.

The Global Virus Network (GVN), a coalition of virology experts, is calling on world governments to act swiftly by ramping up surveillance and tightening biosecurity protocols in agriculture.

“This is a moment for proactive global coordination,” said Dr. Peter Palese, a GVN director and leading influenza researcher. “Efforts should focus on improving farm biosecurity and educating the public about safe practices when handling poultry and livestock, especially in outbreak-prone areas.”

The GVN warns that failure to prepare for potential human-to-human transmission could result in a health crisis on the scale of the early COVID-19 pandemic.