"H5N1 may be more severe than COVID-19".

The article discusses the potential severity of the H5N1 avian influenza virus compared to COVID-19. The H5N1 virus has the potential to transition into a human virus and trigger a human pandemic. It has infected various species, including livestock, and has spread globally. The current subtype of the virus has shown an ability to infect a wider range of animals, increasing the risk of genetic mutations and adaptation to mammals. While the severity of the virus in humans cannot be accurately predicted, it is likely to cause more severe disease than COVID-19 based on current information. The potential occurrence of a H5N1 bird flu pandemic could pose significant challenges for mitigation and control efforts. [Extracted from the article]