Why bird flu risk is like the Grenfell Tower tragedy

THE spectre of bird flu still haunts the world. Virologists have discovered that a widespread Chinese poultry virus, H7N9, could be a few mutations away from becoming a human pandemic. Like H5N1 before it, the virus could kill millions.

Yes, we know H5N1 hasn’t done so – but it might still. Similarly, H7N9 may fade away. But we’re riding our luck. It does not help that the Trump administration is dragging its feet on flu research, hindering the production of life-saving science (see “A bird flu pandemic looms but the US is holding back the fight“).

Worse, no matter what we discover, we cannot defend ourselves. We have vaccines against these viruses. But as New Scientist has reported for over a decade, the world cannot make enough in time. And work on the permanent solution – a vaccine against all strains of flu – is barely ticking over amid funding apathy.

We know for certain that a flu pandemic will come. When a bird flu last caused one, in 1918, tens of millions died, in every country. That would happen again.

The parallel with the Grenfell Tower disaster in London is unavoidable. We understand the danger. We know the answer. But people in power are not listening. If they disregard the warnings, they will condemn many people to perish needlessly.

This article appeared in print under the headline “A disaster foretold”