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Bird Flu's Mutations Could Spark Pandemic, Experts Warn

11/29/2025

35 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The head of France's Institut Pasteur respiratory infections centre warns bird flu could cause a pandemic worse than COVID-19 if it mutates to transmit to humans.
The virus has culled millions of birds.
A Washington death from H5N5 raises concerns.
The World Organisation for Animal Health says the risk of a human pandemic remains low.
Preparations for a potential outbreak are better than before COVID-19, with vaccines and antivirals available.

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Story summary

The head of France's Institut Pasteur respiratory infections centre warns bird flu could cause a pandemic worse than COVID-19 if it mutates to transmit to humans.
The virus has culled millions of birds.
A Washington death from H5N5 raises concerns.
The World Organisation for Animal Health says the risk of a human pandemic remains low.
Preparations for a potential outbreak are better than before COVID-19, with vaccines and antivirals available.