Rapid increase and severe impacts of bird flu incidents indicated in recent analysis
Avian Influenza Transforms from Animal Health Issue to Global Concern
Avian flu, previously confined to animal health matters, has escalated into a broader crisis, with increasing numbers of mammal infections and severe consequences for ecosystems, trade, and food security, according to a new report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
In 2024, bird flu incidents in mammals almost doubled compared to the previous year, reaching 1,022 outbreaks compared to 459. The report notes a sharp increase in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks among mammals.
During the same period, poultry and non-poultry species alike reported 943 and 2,570 outbreaks respectively, resulting in the loss of over 82.1 million poultry birds. Over the past two decades, a staggering 633 million birds have succumbed to infection or culling in an effort to contain the virus.
The report suggests that avian influenza is no longer a seasonal or regional issue, as cases have been reported globally since 2022 and impacted a wide array of species, including wild birds, domestic poultry, and an expanding number of mammals, such as livestock and pets.
The WOAH warns that the devastating impact of avian influenza has risen beyond an animal health crisis to a global emergency, with potential threats to agriculture, food security, trade, and ecosystems.
Human Health Risks
While the risk of human infection remains low, the spillover into humans highlights the need for vigilance and preparedness. In the United States, 67 human cases and one death have been confirmed due to a bird flu outbreak among poultry and dairy cattle. Europe, on the other hand, has reported no human infections and no cases of the virus in cattle.
Increasing infections among mammalian species could potentially pave the way for mammal-to-mammal and human transmission, a scenario that experts caution could intensify as more species become infected.
Consequences Beyond Birds
Avian influenza is causing unprecedented mass die-offs in wild bird populations, disrupting ecosystems and threatening biodiversity. The report indicates that the loss of biodiversity leads to cascading effects that compromise environmental resilience and global wildlife conservation.
Additionally, seizures in international trade have arisen due to outbreaks triggering strict commercial restrictions. For instance, Brazil's poultry exports to the European Union have been suspended following a bird flu outbreak in the country.
Vaccination: A Possible Solution
The WOAH stresses the urgent need for actions beyond traditional control measures due to the scale and complexity of the current situation. While strict biosecurity and active surveillance have been the primary strategies, the virus's relentless spread necessitates additional efforts.
Vaccination may provide a solution or serve as a complement to traditional measures, as vaccines can both reduce the spread of outbreaks and lessen the severity of infections. France became the first European Union (EU) country to implement a nationwide bird flu vaccination campaign in ducks in October 2023, significantly reducing the number of outbreaks.
Besides animal vaccines, some countries have begun vaccinating high-risk human populations, such as poultry farm workers. In 2023, the European Commission acquired 665,000 pre-pandemic vaccine doses targeting avian influenza and maintained an option for 40 million doses over the following four years, preparing for potential future human transmission.
The urgency of the avian influenza crisis necessitates ongoing research, strategic planning, and collaboration among global health and agricultural organizations to develop effective vaccine strategies that balance disease control with economic and trade considerations.
- The rapid increase in avian influenza cases among mammals, such as livestock and pets, raises concerns for medical-conditions related to human health and is a reminder of the importance of science and research in developing effective vaccines for potential future human transmission.
- In addition to disrupting ecosystems and threatening biodiversity, the ongoing avian influenza crisis has far-reaching consequences in health-and-wellness, trade, food security, and environmental science, as highlighted by the WOAH's report on the global emergency that it poses.
