High pathogenicity avian influenza in Australia and beyond: could avian influenza cause the next human pandemic?

The primary natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses is wild waterfowl. In poultry, some of these viruses can evolve into high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) that cause significant disease. HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b is a current variant of concern that has caused mass die-offs of wild birds, land and marine mammals all across the world since its emergence in 2020. This article explores the history associated with HPAIVs, as well as the current global situation pertaining to HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.3.4b and the HPAIV situation in Australia. This variant will continue to evolve, and as it infects more mammalian hosts, it will inevitably continue to acquire mammalian adaptations. This has led to increased concern that HPAIV H5N1 could spill over into humans more efficiently and potentially cause the next human pandemic