The EU Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has warned of the risk of a massive bird flu pandemic if the virus is transmitted between people, as they have no immunity to it, reports "Reuters".
The warning comes a day after Texas reported that the H5N1 strain of bird flu was found in a person who had contact with dairy cows suspected of being infected with the virus.
The spread of bird flu is a concern for governments and the poultry industry because of the devastation it can cause to flocks and the risk of transmission to humans.
Although the number of bird flu outbreaks has been lower this season, the disease has spread geographically, including to Antarctica, and among an increasing number of mammals. This increases the risk of bird flu becoming a greater threat to humans.
To date, sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed, and transmission of bird flu from infected animals to humans is rare.
However, these viruses continue to evolve globally and with the migration of wild birds, new strains may arise carrying potential mutations to adapt to mammals, EFSA points out.
"If avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, mass transmission may occur due to the lack of immune protection against H5 viruses in humans,", notes the European Food Safety Authority.
" /p>
According to data from the World Health Organization, between January 2003 and February 26 this year, around 887 cases of human infection with H5N1 bird flu were reported worldwide. Of these, 462, or 52%, were fatal.
The majority of human cases have been found in unprotected individuals from exposure to sick or dead poultry, live bird markets, or contaminated environments.
Wild mammals can serve as a bridge between wild birds, domestic animals and humans, says EFSA. Pets, such as cats, living in households but with access to the outdoors can also potentially transmit the virus.
In addition to poultry and dairy cows reported in the United States, mammals affected by the virus include goats, cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, polar bears, grizzly bears, and elephant seals.
EFSA called for increased surveillance of humans and animals, providing access to rapid diagnostics, promoting cooperation between the animal and human sectors and implementing preventive measures such as vaccination.