Is H5N1 avian flu going to start a pandemic?
Scientists cannot predict whether an avian influenza (H5N1) virus will cause a pandemic. Today, H5N1 is a bird flu. There are no reported cases of sustained human-to-human passage of H5N1. However, as the virus changes, it is possible for it to become capable of passing human to human and then spread very quickly. That is why New Hampshire and the country are focusing on comprehensive public health efforts, such as increasing surveillance, monitoring for outbreaks, international cooperation, increasing antiviral stockpiles, and building more robust capacity for vaccine production, that will help protect us no matter what pandemic strain emerges or where.
