Watch Out: Bird Flu is Getting Serious!

The bird flu, known as H5N1, is making headlines again. Recently, it caused severe illness in patients in Louisiana and Canada. Doctor Jeremy Faust, who works at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, raised the threat level to DEFCON 3. This means we should be on high alert, but not panic. DEFCON levels range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest threat. Defcon 3 is the level where we’re ready but not yet in action. There have been 66 human cases in the U. S. this year, with some severe ones. Humans can get it from infected birds. So far, it doesn't spread easily from person to person, but that could change. Peak flu season is coming up. Doctors worry that people might get both bird flu and regular flu, mixing the viruses and creating a new, dangerous form. The CDC says most bird flu cases are mild. But with the flu season approaching, it’s time to act. Get your flu shots and keep an eye out for any signs of bird flu.