Gabon, Guinea, and Moldova Added to Bird Flu Outbreak List

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced it added Gabon, Guinea, and Moldova to the list of regions considered to be affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), known as bird flu.

Bird flu outbreaks are mainly located in areas of the Pacific Flyway. 

The HAPI updates were confirmed on May 23, 2023.

On May 23, 2022, after confirming that the HPAI occurred in commercial birds or poultry, APHIS added Gabon to the regions where HPAI exists.

On June 3, 2022, the veterinary authorities of Guinea reported to WOAH an HPAI occurrence in that country.

On January 24, 2022, the veterinary authorities of Moldova reported to WOAH an HPAI occurrence in that country.

In the U.S., the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported the Eurasian (H5 clade 2.3.4.4b.) appeared in North America in January 2022 and has impacted over 58 million birds in 47 states as of June 2023.

Bird flu infections have also been detected in various mammals, such as bears, cats, dogs, dolphins, ferrets, foxes, minks, sea lions, and skunks.

As of June 7, 2023, bird flu vaccines are available for people, and vaccine candidates are being tested for birds.