From what I've read, the risk of H5N1 becoming human to human mainly comes from co-infection. That is, a person that is infected both by H5N1 and the flu. In

From what I've read, the risk of H5N1 becoming human to human mainly comes from co-infection. That is, a person that is infected both by H5N1 and the flu. In that case, there is a risk that the H5N1 virus trades genetics with something like H1N1 which gives it the extra genetic oomph to spread it around. The fact that this outbreak is happening during typical cold/flu season is part of what has virologists on edge. Both hitting the right person wouldn't be great. The best defense here is for people to get their flu vaccine and avoid livestock if possible. If not possible, then it's reporting to the USDA/CDC if your livestock gets sick. Unfortunately, this all may translate into culling of herds which will translate into higher egg/beef prices to the average consumer.