An avian disease that is spreading and killing tons of birds is more frequently making the jump to mammals, which has health experts appropriately concerned. So far, the risk to humans of so-called avian influenza is relatively low, experts say — but they also warn that could change. And if things were to intensify, we'd have another pandemic on top of the current COVID pandemic.
The virus is called H5N1, sometimes known as "bird flu." It mutates quickly and is highly virulent, meaning it can cause severe illness and death. Humans can catch it too, though this is rare, with symptoms ranging from mild flu-like upper respiratory issues to pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Death is uncommon, but it happens.
