European farmers have expressed concern about the possible spread of the new strain of bird flu discovered in the United States.
A new strain of H5N1 bird flu virus discovered by a Texas dairy worker is deadly to infected livestock, an expert says. StudyThe University of Wisconsin-Madison is the location of this study.
It is important to remember that the study was conducted on ferrets to test the severity of the strain. The study was conducted only on ferrets, as other species may have produced different and less severe results. More research is urgently needed on the new strain to fully understand its impact on chickens, cows, and other animals.
The virus was also capable of spreading through the air, raising new concerns about a possible threat to humans.
While authorities are urging farmers to be vigilant and the public to remain calm, they do not want them to lose their cool.
Pamela Rendi Wagner, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, says there are reasons to raise awareness, but not to be more concerned, as we closely monitor the current bird flu situation in Europe and around the world.
Does bird flu only affect birds?
The bird flu virus is deadly and can infect wild or domestic birds, including poultry, ducks and geese. The number of cases peaks in winter, when wild birds migrate to Europe.
The virus is not contagious to humans, but it can be transmitted by other animals such as cattle, especially when they are grouped together in close quarters such as barns or sheds.
Like other influenza viruses, H5N1 mutates quite rapidly when it infects new hosts. These mutations can sometimes make it easier for the virus to spread and infect new species. The current viruses that have been infecting birds around the world for the past few years began to spread among mammals in 2024, including dairy cows in North America.
Are European birds threatened?
There is a high probability that this strain of avian influenza will reach Europe due to the migration of wild migratory birds over the Atlantic. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is therefore paying particular attention to this region.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has become more widespread, particularly in the United States, according to an ECDC spokesperson.
An increase in GAHP has been observed among seabirds on European coasts.
Last month, the European Food Safety Authority reported a dramatic increase in the known number of birds infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
An EFSA spokesperson said there had been a resurgence of HPAI among seabirds on European coasts.
Could the human population be threatened by this new strain?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the bird flu virus does not typically infect humans. However, some cases have occurred.
The Texas dairy workers who raised the alarm about the strain have also been infected. Although they reportedly had only mild symptoms, they have been confirmed to have fully recovered.
This threat to human health should not be underestimated.
But European officials remain concerned about the threat.
Rendi Wagner, Director of ECDC, said: “This is a serious threat to public health and we must be proactive and vigilant in our collaboration.”
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) reports that there are no confirmed cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in humans in the European Union. However, it is important to continue to raise awareness among healthcare professionals.
ECDC has implemented several initiatives to combat the threat of avian influenza to human health. It has also produced documents that provide guidance on how to test people who have been exposed, conduct surveillance and investigate outbreaks.
What is the avian influenza virus?
Avian influenza is a viral infection that primarily affects wild birds and poultry. The virus can be classified as highly pathogenic or low pathogenic (HPAI/LPAI) based on its molecular characteristics and its ability to infect and kill chickens.
Wild birds serve as reservoirs and natural hosts for all types of avian influenza viruses and play an important role in their evolution, maintenance and spread.
Infected poultry may show only mild symptoms or no signs at all. HPAI infections can lead to severe illness or death. HPAI, as well as LPAI, can spread rapidly in flocks. Some strains of LPAI virus can also mutate into highly pathogenic forms.
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