In a concerning development, scientists are urging the world to take active measures to prevent human-to-human transmission of avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu. The warning comes as an ongoing outbreak of the virus is affecting dairy cows in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on April 1 that a person in Texas had contracted the virus after coming into contact with infected dairy cows, marking the first known mammal-to-human spread of the disease. Two months later, a 59-year-old man in Mexico tragically died from a type of bird flu known as H5N2, never before recorded in humans.

The man experienced symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, and general malaise, all consistent with this infectious form of influenza. While health officials have ruled out a direct connection to the outbreak across the border, cases have been reported in some poultry farms in Mexico.

Disturbingly, the number of bird flu cases is increasing. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 56 cases have been recorded in livestock herds over the last 30 days alone. This has led experts to liken the situation to a "pandemic unfolding in slow motion," highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures.

Scott Hensley, a microbiology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, warned that while the current threat level remains relatively low, it could change rapidly. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive surveillance and testing efforts to track the virus's spread and understand its behavior.

Presently, federal surveillance of US dairy cows is limited to testing herds before they cross state lines. However, state testing efforts are inconsistent, and there is a lack of testing for individuals exposed to infected cattle. This lack of coordination is deeply concerning, as it increases the risk of person-to-person transmission.

Renowned Dutch flu virologist Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam emphasized the need for detailed information on positive farms, the number of infected cows, the virus's transmission routes, and the duration of infectivity in order to effectively combat the spread of bird flu.

Former director of the CDC, Robert Redfield, echoed these concerns and warned that a bird flu pandemic is not a question of if, but when. The lack of coordination and testing efforts further increase the likelihood of such an event.

As the world grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, authorities and health organizations must now also urgently address the growing threat of bird flu. Timely and coordinated action is crucial to prevent a potential devastating human-to-human transmission of the virus.