A newly confirmed human bird flu case in Missouri highlights a potential rising threat to humans amidst an outbreak that has infected 13 workers and dairy cattle across 14 U.S. states. Bird flu, or avian influenza, primarily impacts birds but can occasionally jump to humans, especially through exposure to the virus via the eyes, nose, mouth, or inhalation. 

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The H5 strain, which is widespread among wild birds, has recently caused outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows, leading to 14 reported human cases in the U.S., particularly among workers. To combat this, Moderna is developing a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology, similar to its COVID-19 shots, with $176 million in funding from the U.S. government. 

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Moderna is also running a phase 1/2 trial to test the safety of this investigational vaccine, which targets H5 and H7 avian flu strains. GSK has an approved H5N1 vaccine based on dead strains already. The US Department of Health and Human Services also said the agency was also negotiating with Pfizer (PFE) for an mRNA vaccine against H5N1, according to Reuters.‍

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How Deadly is Bird Flu to Humans? What is Bird Flu?

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Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious disease that primarily affects birds, but can also rarely affect humans. Symptoms in humans include fever, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache, pneumonia, encephalitis, and diarrhea. Symptoms can appear between 1 and 10 days after exposure. 

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The virus can infect the lungs, trachea, brain, and intestines, and may also spread to other organs. Mortality rates depend on the strain, with some strains having a 27% death rate among people sick enough to seek medical help, though this excludes those with minimal symptoms.

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