Concern is growing about the avian flu now spreading to marine mammals and a new study says that it increases the potential risk to humans.
The danger to humans is low right now, but as long as the avian flu is spreading to other animals, there’s a risk it could spread to people, which is why scientists say close surveillance and research is needed.
Dying elephant seals on the coast of western Argentina are linked to H5N1, the virus known as avian influenza.
It has been circulating in birds for decades. Last year’s sky-high egg prices were due to a 2022 outbreak that affected 58 million chickens in the United States alone.
Researchers say there have been cases where the virus spreads from infected birds to mammals. Now, researchers fear it may be moving from one mammal to another.