Bird Flu Outbreaks Reach New Areas

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) published its latest global update confirming highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAPI) outbreaks continue in various countries.

As of May 3, 2023, the current HPAI epidemic season continues, with 48 outbreaks reported in poultry and 33 in non-poultry birds over the three weeks covered by the report.

About 1.5 million poultry birds died or were culled worldwide.

These HAPI detections were mainly in Europe (36), the Americas, and Asia.

And the first occurrence of HPAI in non-poultry birds in the Republic of Gambia (Africa) at the end of March 2023 is noteworthy and shows that the HAPI disease is spreading to new areas.

Furthermore, based on the HPAI seasonal pattern, the number of outbreaks in animals (mammals) is expected to have passed the peak and decline.

However, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported six more H5N1 detections in mammals, bringing the total to 176 during this outbreak.

From a human risk perspective, official health authorities of the People's Rep. of China notified the World Health Organization on March 27, 2023, of one confirmed case of human infection with an avian influenza A(H3N8) virus.

This is the third reported case of human infection with an avian influenza A(H3N8) virus reported by China.

While the annual flu shot does not offer protection against HAPI viruses, there are approved bird flu vaccines and vaccine candidates in development.