Remember how Covid-19 caught everyone off guard by spreading through the air? Well, scientists aren’t taking any chances this time. They’re now closely watching the bird flu to see if it could follow the same path.

Back in 2020, experts like Lidia Morawska raised early alarms about Covid being airborne, but it took years for organizations like the WHO to acknowledge it. Fast forward to today, and researchers are zeroing in on avian influenza, especially the H5N1 strain, to figure out if it’s capable of drifting through the air in tiny droplets.

Last year, 66 people in the U.S. were infected with H5N1, mainly from handling sick birds. But things got more concerning when cows started testing positive for the virus earlier this year. This raises the possibility of the flu jumping to humans through everyday activities, like milking, where droplets could spread the virus.

The big worry? If H5N1 mutates enough to spread easily between people, it could spark the next major health crisis. Scientists are keeping a close eye on any changes that might make the flu airborne, which could turn places like hospitals or restaurants into hotspots for infection.

While the risk isn’t immediate, the lessons from Covid have made researchers determined to stay ahead of the curve. Stay tuned as science works to keep us one step ahead of potential pandemics.