Millions of birds have tragically perished due to the largest outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) in recent history. The highly lethal virus has wreaked havoc on both wild and domestic bird populations, leading to mass culling efforts on farms since its identification in 1996. The threat looms larger as the virus evolves, potentially transitioning from a bird pandemic to a human one. The unpredictable nature of H5N1 underscores the urgency for preparedness.

Recent developments have shown the virus crossing over to various mammals, with a concerning prevalence among dairy cattle in the United States. This shift has resulted in confirmed cases among farm workers, albeit with mild symptoms thus far. The detection of infections in both cows and humans remains challenging due to surveillance gaps, hinting at potentially undetected cases.