PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Some scientists are worried about a new strain of H5N1, also known as the bird flu. It is important to stress this virus is not currently spread from human to human. This helps prevent a potential pandemic.
Why the concern? An article in the New England Journal of Medicine details how this new form of bird flu crosses over to cows and can be spread from cow-to-cow.
Several dairy farmers have been infected so far, and it has also spread to cats and mice. Despite this cross-species spread, there's need for most people to be concerned. sScientists continue to work on developing efficient treatments in the event things change in the future.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
