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In an interview with NewsNation, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield predicted bird flu will cause the next major pandemic.
“I really do think it’s very likely that we will, at some time, it’s not a question of if, it’s more a question of when, we will have a bird flu pandemic,” Redfield said.
“Unfortunately, bird flu, when it does enter humans, has a significant mortality. Probably somewhere between 25 to 50 percent mortality,” he added.
“We know exactly what has to happen for bird flu to be infectious for humans and go human to human. Scientists in 2012 actually did experiments in the lab using gain-of-function research, which I’m not in favor of, but the scientists did it and they figured the five amino acids which have to change in the key receptor in order for bird flu to gain a propensity to bind to the human receptor, and then be able to go human to human,” he continued.
“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,” he said.
WATCH:
Ex-CDC Director: “There WILL Be a Bird Flu Pandemic”
Dr. Robert Redfield suggests that bird flu “could make COVID look like a little pandemic” and that “it’s not a question of if, it’s more of a question of when.”
He says, “It’s going to be quite complicated” because “bird flu… pic.twitter.com/KUK6jD2io5
— The Vigilant Fox
(@VigilantFox) June 17, 2024
From The Epoch Times:
While Dr. Redfield said it’s impossible to predict with accuracy when the bird flu might start going human to human, he said the recent development of dairy cattle contracting the virus is alarming because cows are often in close proximity to pigs, and pigs have tended to be the last stepping stone for viruses before the jump to humans.
Dr. Redfield added that the natural evolution of the virus to where it becomes highly infectious to humans is less of a concern to him than the possibility that it will increase its virulence under lab conditions—through gain-of-function research.
The “recipe” for making bird flu highly infectious to humans is already well established, Dr. Redfield said, recalling that gain-of-function research on the avian influenza virus was carried out in 2012, against his recommendations.
Since late March, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been reported in more than 80 dairy herds across the country. So far, three human infections have been reported in the United States—two in Michigan and one in Texas, all dairy farm workers.
The CDC said in a June 12 bird flu update that it’s monitoring the situation closely and the current risk to public health remains low.
“I’m less concerned though, that this will happen through spillover and evolution in animals. I’m much more concerned that this will happen in the laboratory through gain-of-function research,” Redfield said.
“I can create this virus literally in weeks to months by using gain-of-function research. I know exactly what amino acids I have to change,” he added.
The United States has reported multiple human bird flu cases in dairy farm workers.
The United States and Europe have considered vaccinating poultry and dairy workers that health officials claim are ‘at risk’ of bird flu.
As 100 Percent Fed Up noted, Finland will soon begin a vaccination campaign against bird flu.
Watch the full interview with Dr. Robert Redfield below:
