The WHO urges to prepare for a possible new pandemic

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 20:40, 1 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. The world community should prepare for a new pandemic that may occur due to bird flu transmitted from person to person, ARMENPRESS reports, World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist Richard Peabody announced in an interview with El Pais newspaper.

"There is concern that bird flu will acquire the ability to spread from person to person, and sustainably, and may cause a new pandemic. We must be ready for it. The scientific community is studying the genetic sequence of these viruses in order to track them, as well as to develop vaccines that will be available in case of need," he said.

According to an epidemiologist, the new outbreak of bird flu, which has killed millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide, began two to three years ago due to a special strain of the A(H5N1) virus.

"We want to say that you should be vigilant. It is important that people do not pick up dead or dying birds or other animals, and that that poultry factory workers are well protected," Peabody noted.

According to WHO data, 873 cases of human infection with bird flu were recorded in the world in 2003-2023, which resulted in 458 deaths.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS