The world could be facing its second pandemic in three years as the threat of bird flu rises, the World Health Organisation has warned.
Public health experts say the most recent strain has been found to have jumped from birds to mammals, with reports of the H5N1 strain found in otters, foxes and mink.
If the strain jumps to humans, the world could face potentially another pandemic on its hands.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 still presenting in hospitals and causing deaths.
In a virtual briefing, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged leaders to take action and monitor the virus where it is suspected in mammals.
While the risk to humans remained low, he said, nations must be on their guard and stay prepared for any outcome.
(
AFP via Getty Images)
The H5N1 strain was first confirmed in the UK on a poultry farm near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, in November, according to the Government.
The current ongoing outbreak has been described as the UK’s largest ever and has contributed to poultry farmers losing 40% of free-range turkey flocks, according to Richard Griffiths, the chief executive of the British Poultry Council.
H5N1 has been known to spread to humans, however this is rare and usually due to close contact with dead infected birds.
Health experts say that humans must remain vigilant, as risk of the disease spreading to human populations remains a possibility and a risk until the current outbreak is brought under control.