Indeed. I'm particularly getting concerned about co-infection leading to genes being swapped - short-circuiting the evolution needed to adapt to humans. The CDC reported this year's flu season is at the highest levels since 2009 [0]. A CDC study released in November showed ~7% of dairy workers who participated had evidence of recent H5N1 infection. Now we find out that the D1.1 variant that killed a person in Louisiana and sent a teenager in Canada into a coma is in cows [2]. That variant has the PB2 D701N mutation that's associated with mammalian adaptation.
I've been following this thing since February 2023, and it for sure feels like it's getting closer. I see you too are paying attention - cheers.
I don't think the next virus breakout is going to go well.