Elephant seal colonies have been destroyed in South America: there is a danger of the virus passing to humans

The recent H5N1 bird flu epidemic in South America killed more than 17,000 elephant seals. A genetic analysis shows that the virus, which was previously only transmitted from birds to mammals, now shows the ability to spread between marine mammals and pass from human to human.

Oku.AzAccording to mk.ru, local experts have warned about this.

According to experts, the H5N1 virus has already demonstrated several times the ability to transmit between different species of mammals. The virus was discovered among otters in Spain in 2022, causing the animals’ mass extinction.

A recent study confirms that the new H5N1 variant can also be transmitted from humans to mammals. Researchers note that the virus adapts to the immune system of mammals, which is a serious concern.

“Since the virus has already infected intermediate mammals at least twice, it is very likely that this will happen again,” say the epidemiologists.

Viruses that are transmitted from animals to humans can cause serious illness and potentially lead to pandemics such as the “Spanish flu” of 1918.

Experts urge authorities to take the threat seriously and develop appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the virus.