1.       Introduction: The Challenge of H5N1 Avian Influenza               H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) may soon gain the ability to transmit human-to-human. It has not achieved that yet but appears to inch closer each month. It could happen soon – or not so soon. H5N1 already has infected and killed tens of thousands of dairy cattle in 15 states (Gutierrez). Over 108 million chickens have died or had to be culled nationwide (Abbott) since the virus arrived in the U.S. from Northern Europe in 2021. (Peacock) Most wild bird species that crisscross American skies carry H5N1 and have infected both domestic fowl and 200 mammal species in America since it first appeared. It has killed half the American bald eagles in some states. (M. Johnson)            Cows (Kristensen), pigs (Saey 4/24), minks (Tufekci ‘23), ferrets (Belser) and cats (Chothe) all carr...