Scientist's chilling warning over 'signals of next epidemic' coming for humans

02 September 2023 , 01:15

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A top professor has warned that bird flu could already pose a huge threat to mankind (Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

A top public health expert has warned that the UK needs to be preparing to face a new epidemic of bird flu – after scientists raised concerns about a pattern of mutations in one particular version of the disease.

Professor Devi Sridhar, chairwoman of global public health at Edinburgh University, has admitted it is too early to say what will cause the next widespread public health crisis worldwide, but has warned there are "signals" that bird flu might just be the most likely candidate. That's because a recent spate of mutations in avian flu seem to suggest it is much more likely the virus will be able to infect humans "at some point".

The medical professional, who also advised the Scottish government during the Covid pandemic, has called on those in power across the UK to better prepare for a widespread outbreak of bird flu. Such preparations now would help avoid high death tolls should the worst happen and a highly infectious version of the virus mutate.

Professor Devi Sridhar issued a chilling warning at the Edinburgh Book Festival (PA)

Since October 1 last year, there have been 199 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in birds across the UK. These animals were all infected with the highly mutated H5N1 strain. Government figures show 158 of those cases were in England, with 32 in Scotland, eight in Wales and a single case in Northern Ireland. Four British poultry workers have already tested positive for the same strain this year. The virus is usually picked up through close contact with an infected bird.

Professor Sridhar was asked about what the next pandemic after Covid-19 could be, and how mankind and the UK could better prepare for it. Speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival, where she was promoting her new book Preventable: How a Pandemic Changed the World and How to Stop the Next One, she said: "In terms of the next one, we can't say what it is but there are signals.

WHO warns we must prepare for bird flu pandemic if mammal strain jumps to humans

"We have enough signals to say there is a pattern emerging and that pattern isn't good in terms of the range of mutations we're seeing and it jumping into humans at some point, or other mammals that make the jump easier into humans.

'So we have to prepare — to avoid what happened, which was a tragedy for lives lost but also the restrictions put in place which harmed, as well, many people in terms of their livelihoods, mental health."

Matt Clemenson