Yes, according to WHO and global scientists. High level meetings of scientists convene to determine its risks. As of April 1, 2024 1 case was reported by the USA's CDC. See link below. H5N1 has been around since 2009. However it is has transferred to most animal species in the wild, and transferred to chicken and dairy farms and people. Most people have survived its infection, but the H5N1 here has been identified here is highly pathogenic or deadly. It could be called an epidemic among animal species.
However the risk remains low for the spread of human to human of the influenza virus strain of H5N1 some reported cases are found globally among humans. As we are well aware what happened with SARS-CoV-2 or Covid transmission can rapidly grow. This is why scientists are almost daily keeping an eye on its movement.
This virus is highly contagious. In the last few years it has spread from most birds including millions of chicken farms globally as well as over 100 wild bird species, and over ten animals species such as sea lions, mink, foxes, and just in 2023 has spread to house cats in Europe. This is under close scrutiny by WHO and member states.
However other threats such as filioviruses like Ebola, Ebola's Marburg Ebola strain, SARS and Niph are potential threats according to the WHO.
Click here Latest case of H5N1 in the US.
Click here for the WHO's list.
Click here for the latest news on H5N1,
The expression: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." is more important than ever.