The UN health agency has reported that avian flu has been detected in 108 countries across five continents. The virus, known as H5N1, has mutated and has spread to wildlife, infecting over 500 bird species and 70 mammalian species, including endangered animals like the California condor and polar bears.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that in regions where poultry is a primary source of protein, avian influenza poses a serious threat to food and nutrition security. The virus has also had a significant impact on the livelihoods of farmers, hindering their ability to invest in biosafety measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined calls for increased surveillance and biosecurity on farms to protect both animals and humans from the virus. So far, there have been 76 reported cases of H5 avian influenza in humans, with the majority occurring in farm workers. While the risk of infection for the general public is currently assessed as low, those who work on farms and are exposed to infected animals face a moderate risk.
There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus, but experts warn that this could change quickly as the virus continues to evolve. The WHO stresses the importance of thoroughly investigating every human case of avian flu and encourages the use of pasteurized milk or heating milk before consumption as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management for the WHO, emphasizes the need for a One Health approach to effectively tackle avian influenza at a global, national, and sub-national level. This approach involves collaboration across different sectors to minimize the risk of the virus in both animals and humans.