(Washington Insider Magazine) -In recent days, several cases of severe bird flu have been reported to the World Organization for Animal Health. This is a sign that the virus is rapidly spreading again and no signs of it ending soon. After previous bird flu outbreaks that resulted in the culling of many millions of birds, the poultry industry has been put on high alert by the spread of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza. Trade restrictions are being imposed after these major outbreaks.
Because the virus can transmit to humans, epidemiologists are also interested in it. China has reported 21 cases of H5N6 subtype avian influenza-related human infections so far in 2019, more than any other country to this day.
According to the OIE, South Korea reported an outbreak in a farm that was housing around 770,000 chickens on Monday which was reported by authorities. Sadly, no animals survived this. Japan also later reported the first winter season outbreak of 2021 which took place at its poultry farm in the northeast. This confirms a statement by Japan’s agriculture ministry from early last week. During this outbreak it was determined the cause was H5N8.
According to the OIE, Norway had reported a bird influenza outbreak in Europe. It affected a flock of 7,000 birds. Outbreaks are most common in seasons such as autumn and are spread by migrating wildbirds. After a highly pathogenic form of bird flu was discovered in an unidentified wild goose, the government placed the country at increased risk. They ordered poultry to be kept indoors starting immediately. This also follows a similar move that France made, which was earlier in the month.
All of these signs mean that the virus is rapidly spreading again for an unknown cause. Bird flu is a natural disease that circulates among wild birds. It can spread from one bird to another when birds migrate to the UK in winter from Europe.
Bird flu prevention means an area was established to prevent the spread of the disease. This happened in Great Britain earlier this month after the outbreak occurred. This legally requires all bird keepers to comply with strict biosecurity measures.In rare cases, bird flu can also affect humans if they touch the droppings, bedding or feathers of infected birds or when they prepare infected poultry for cooking.
These actions will not affect the bird flu-free status that the country has achieved in September following a previous outbreak of bird flu. France killed 3 million birds in its southwest duck-breeding area last winter as it battled the spread of the virus to other poultry flocks.
Avian influenza A is also known as avian flu and can quickly spread to poultry flocks. To stop the spread of the disease, poultry farms and facilities must kill birds (sometimes tens to millions) of them. According to the World Organization for Animal Health, the virus can cause massive bird deaths with a death rate of approximately 50 percent. This disease can also spread to humans very quickly. Experts expressed concern about the potential for bird flu to spread to humans this year.
