A highly pathogenic strain of avian flu (H5N1) is spreading across the world, infecting not just wild and farmed birds, but increasingly, mammals like cattle and seals as well. With cases of avian flu also detected among humans in countries like the United States all the way to Cambodia, and one confirmed human death from the H5N2 strain, does this mean we should be on high alert for avian flu outbreaks? Will avian flu be the next pandemic? We find out from Prof Dr Raina MacIntyre, Epidemiologist and Head of Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Tee Shiao Eek

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Categories:  government,  international,  managing disease

Tags:  the bigger picture,  health and living,  globalhealththreats,  bird flu,  avian flu,  influenza,  virus,  pandemic,  zoonotic diseases,  outbreak,  epidemic,  public health,