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The United States is facing a pivotal moment in public health as scientists and infectious-disease specialists raise urgent concerns about the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. What originally appeared to be a problem confined mostly to poultry farms has gradually transformed into a nationwide issue, with confirmed detections now reported across all 50 states. The numbers continue to grow more concerning. Nearly a thousand dairy cattle herds have been affected, and more than seventy human infections have been confirmed in laboratories, including the first fatal case reported in the country. Researchers associated with the Global Virus Network, along with other leading virologists, warn that the country may be witnessing the early stages of a potential pandemic developing slowly over time. They emphasize the need for immediate planning and coordinated response so the nation does not experience the same institutional and societal disruptions seen during the beginning of COVID-19.
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