Humans 'at risk' as bird flu spreads

The risk of humans being infected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI; bird flu) has risen, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), as the virus spreads to different species and parts of the world.

On Thursday 4 March [2024], WOAH's head Monique Eloit said: "Over the last few months, we have had a whole series of diverse and varied mammals [contract bird flu]. It is worrying to see this extension to other species.

"Ultimately, we find ourselves with more and more species and more animals which are contaminated, therefore necessarily a higher viral load with a risk of contamination of humans."

Northern Gannet is one species that has been particularly badly affected by HPAI over the past 18 months (Esme Coles).

Bird flu spreading

Eloit's comments came after the US Government reported cases of the disease in dairy cows in several states and a person in Texas, which she said would only be a strong concern if there had been a transmission between cows, something the US authorities are still investigating

Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has led to the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry around the globe in the past years, with the virus mostly carried by migrating wild birds.

Although the number of outbreaks has been lower this season the virus has spread to new regions, including South America and Antarctica, and hit a larger number of animals, decimating colonies of rare species.

Mammals at risk

Foxes were the mammal species most affected by bird flu but the virus also infected dozens of other species including cats, tigers, seals, dolphins and bears.

Some outbreaks of bird flu have caused serious or fatal infections among people who have close contact with wild birds or poultry but to date there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission observed. For most people who are not exposed to infected animals, the risk of catching the disease is very low, scientists say.