The world is on the brink of a new pandemic far worse than Covid-19, warns former US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield.

By comparison, Covid-19 had a mortality rate of 0.6 percent, making bird flu a significantly deadlier threat.

However, local health authorities believe the 59-year-old patient died from other co-morbidities.

Nonetheless, the presence of the H5N2 strain in humans is causing serious concern.

These are the first recorded instances of cow-to-human transmission.

Common symptoms of bird flu, as reported by the CDC include cough, fatigue, fever, headaches, muscle or body aches, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

“I really do think it’s very likely that we will, at some time, it’s not a question of if, it’s more of a question of when we will have a bird flu pandemic,” Redfield told NewsNation on Friday.

“Once the virus gains the ability to attach to the human receptor and then go human to human, that’s when you’re going to have the pandemic,” Redfield added.

The spread of the virus among cows suggests it could mutate further, increasing its potential to infect other animals or humans, according to the CDC.

However, Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist Scott Roberts suggests Redfield’s prediction might be an overestimate.

He also noted that if the virus spreads among humans, the mortality rate could be significantly lower with preventive measures, such as vaccines and treatments, in place.

Bird flu is now being detected in new animal species, with recent outbreaks in cows and sporadic infections in some wild mammals.

The economic impact of a bird flu pandemic could be devastating. Disruptions in agriculture and livestock industries would lead to significant losses. Global trade could be severely affected, leading to supply chain disruptions and increased prices.

The global markets would likely face unprecedented volatility during a bird flu pandemic. Stock markets could plummet due to investor fears, and businesses might face bankruptcy, particularly in tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors.

A bird flu pandemic could lead to massive job losses across various sectors. With agriculture and livestock industries hit hard, many workers would face unemployment.

The psychological toll of another pandemic could be severe, exacerbating anxiety, depression, and pandemic fatigue. As seen from the Covid-19 pandemic, social implications include increased isolation, strained relationships, and heightened stress levels.

Advanced genomic sequencing enables scientists to track mutations in the bird flu virus in real-time. AI and machine learning are also revolutionizing disease modeling, predicting potential outbreaks with impressive accuracy.

Real-time data analysis tools allow health officials to monitor bird flu spread instantaneously. These tools collect data from various sources, providing comprehensive insights into infection patterns.

Drones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices play a crucial role in monitoring bird flu in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Equipped with sensors, they can detect outbreaks among wildlife and livestock, providing real-time data to health officials.

Historical pandemics, such as the Spanish flu and SARS, offer valuable lessons. Effective public health measures, timely interventions, and global cooperation were key to controlling these outbreaks.

The Spanish flu of 1918 showed the critical need for social distancing and quarantine measures. It highlighted the importance of transparent communication and public compliance with health guidelines.

The SARS outbreak demonstrated the effectiveness of international collaboration in disease control. Swift information sharing, coordinated travel restrictions, and comprehensive contact tracing were instrumental in containing the virus.

Assessing global public health infrastructure reveals significant disparities. Some countries have robust systems capable of handling pandemics, while others lack essential resources.

To combat a potential bird flu pandemic, nations need to bolster their public health systems. This includes enhancing disease surveillance, improving laboratory capacities, and ensuring sufficient stockpiles of medical supplies.