United States Food and Drug Administration, in an online update on Thursday (April 25), said that fragments of the bird flu virus have been detected by federal regulators in around 20 per cent of retail milk samples after they were tested in a nationally representative study.

United States Food and Drug Administration, in an online update on Thursday (April 25), said that fragments of the bird flu virus have been detected by federal regulators in around 20 per cent of retail milk samples after they were tested in a nationally representative study. According to the agency, the samples with high chances of positive test results were collected from different parts of the country and belonged to virus-infected dairy herds. The Food and Drug Administration said that traces of the bird flu virus were found in 1 in 5 samples of pasteurised milk. Also Read: FDA traces fragments of bird flu virus in pasteurised milk, detailed report awaited Till now, bird flu has been found in 33 herds across eight states: Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Ohio and Texas. No evidence of milk being 'dangerous' for consumers The regulators have again confirmed that till now no evidence has emerged which proves that milk is dangerous for the consumption of the consumers. They added that no presence of live virus has been found in the milk on store shelves. Public health experts have also agreed with the assessment of the regulators. However, traces of the virus in samples of milk from around the country clearly confirm bird flu outbreak in dairy cows. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital virologist and influenza expert Richard Webby said, “It suggests that there is a whole lot of this virus out there." Watch: Bird Flu Updates: Experts say 'outbreak could be serious' The findings of the FDA emerged less than a month after the H5N1 strain of bird flu was discovered for the first time in dairy cows in several states. Since then, the flu has been detected in herds in eight states. The FDA has been working to investigate the outbreak with the US Department of Agriculture and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The testing method used is called PCR testing and looks for bits of genetic material. If the result is positive, that doesn't mean they have found a live, infectious virus. (With inputs from agencies)

FDA finds traces of bird flu in one in five milk samples across the US

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US: FDA traces fragments of Bird Flu virus in pasteurised milk

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm bells for new species, including humans, who are prone to extraordinarily high mortality rates, over the rapid rise of H5N1 bird flu.

"This remains I think an enormous concern," the UN health agency's chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva.

The bird flu outbreak, that started in the year 2020, has so far claimed the lives of tens of millions of poultry, along with infecting wild birds as well as land and marine mammals.

Surprisingly, other species that were affected by the contagion were cows and goats, which as per the experts were not even considered vulnerable to this type of influenza.

The A (H5N1) strain has become "a global zoonotic animal pandemic", Farrar said.

"The great concern of course is that in... infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically the ability to go from human to human."

For now, experts say that there were no reports of the spread of the virus amongst humans, however, in cases where humans were infected through contact with animals, "the mortality rate is extraordinarily high", Farrar said.

The WHO said that from the year 2003 to 1 April 2024, it recorded around 463 deaths from over 889 human cases across 23 countries, which it said put the case mortality rate at 52 per cent.

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<h2>Bird flu case in US</h2>

The United States had earlier this month raised concern after a person in Texas was recovering from influenza after being exposed to dairy cattle.

This was the second case of a human testing positive for the contagion after being exposed to the herd that caught the infection from wild birds in Texas, Kansas and other states.

When "you come into the mammalian population, then you're getting closer to humans," Farrar said, warning that "this virus is just looking for new, novel hosts".

"It's a real concern."&nbsp;

Farrar further urged for ramping up the monitoring efforts stating that it was "very important understanding how many human infections are happening... because that's where adaptation (of the virus) will happen".

"It's a tragic thing to say, but if I get infected with H5N1 and I die, that's the end of it. If I go around the community and I spread it to somebody else then you start the cycle."

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm bells for new species, including humans, who are prone to extraordinarily high mortality rates, over the rapid rise of H5N1 bird flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm bells for new species, including humans, who are prone to extraordinarily high mortality rates, over the rapid rise of H5N1 bird flu. "This remains I think an enormous concern," the UN health agency's chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva. The bird flu outbreak, that started in the year 2020, has so far claimed the lives of tens of millions of poultry, along with infecting wild birds as well as land and marine mammals. Surprisingly, other species that were affected by the contagion were cows and goats, which as per the experts were not even considered vulnerable to this type of influenza. The A (H5N1) strain has become "a global zoonotic animal pandemic", Farrar said. "The great concern of course is that in... infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically the ability to go from human to human." For now, experts say that there were no reports of the spread of the virus amongst humans, however, in cases where humans were infected through contact with animals, "the mortality rate is extraordinarily high", Farrar said. The WHO said that from the year 2003 to 1 April 2024, it recorded around 463 deaths from over 889 human cases across 23 countries, which it said put the case mortality rate at 52 per cent. Also read: Delhi cabinet minister Atishi accuses BJP of plotting to kill Kejriwal Bird flu case in US The United States had earlier this month raised concern after a person in Texas was recovering from influenza after being exposed to dairy cattle. This was the second case of a human testing positive for the contagion after being exposed to the herd that caught the infection from wild birds in Texas, Kansas and other states. When "you come into the mammalian population, then you're getting closer to humans," Farrar said, warning that "this virus is just looking for new, novel hosts". "It's a real concern." Farrar further urged for ramping up the monitoring efforts stating that it was "very important understanding how many human infections are happening... because that's where adaptation (of the virus) will happen". "It's a tragic thing to say, but if I get infected with H5N1 and I die, that's the end of it. If I go around the community and I spread it to somebody else then you start the cycle." (With inputs from agencies)

WHO raises alarm over human cases of bird flu, calls it 'enormous concern'

A bird flu outbreak has been reported in two places in Kerala's Alappuzha district, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (Apr 18) citing officials. The disease has been confirmed in ducks reared in an area of Ward 1 of Edathva Grama Panchayat and another area in Ward 3 of Cheruthana Grama Panchayat.

A bird flu outbreak has been reported in two places in Kerala's Alappuzha district, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (Apr 18) citing officials. The disease has been confirmed in ducks reared in an area of Ward 1 of Edathva Grama Panchayat and another area in Ward 3 of Cheruthana Grama Panchayat. The samples of the ducks showing symptoms of bird flu were sent to a lab in Bhopal for testing, and it tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1). Authorities to cull birds Speaking to PTI, an Alappuzha district official said that as per the central government's action plan, a meeting chaired by the District Collector decided to initiate the process of killing and destroying (culling) domestic birds within a radius of one kilometre from the epicentre. Also read | Experts flag potential Bird Flu epidemic as '100 times worse than Covid' The official said that a Rapid Action Force will be formed and related preparations will be completed by the Animal Welfare Department as soon as possible. The district administration also said there was no need to panic unnecessarily as there was no possibility of the disease transmitting to humans. What is bird flu? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a disease primarily affecting birds and is caused by a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family. Most of the influenza viruses circulating in birds are not zoonotic. However, High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) strains can infect humans, posing a threat to public health, the WHO states. Also watch | Scientists in Antarctica warn of Bird Flu outbreak as penguin cases confirmed × The main risk factor is direct or indirect exposure to infected animals or environments and surfaces contaminated by faeces. "The most common way for the virus to enter a territory is through migratory wild birds. The main risk factor for transmission from birds to humans is direct or indirect contact with infected animals or with environments and surfaces contaminated by faeces. Plucking, handling infected poultry carcasses, and preparing poultry for consumption, especially in domestic settings, may also be risk factors," the UN health body adds. Symptoms When bird flu is transmitted to humans, symptoms in people can range from mild upper respiratory tract infection (fever and cough) to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (difficulty breathing), shock, and even death. (With inputs from agencies)

Bird flu outbreak reported in ducks in India's Kerala, authorities urge not to panic

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday (Apr 5) issued a health alert for the ongoing bird flu crisis in the country. In the advisory, the CDC talked about a recent case of a Texas farm worker testing positive for H5N1 bird flu.

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday (Apr 5) issued a health alert for the ongoing bird flu crisis in the country. In the advisory, the CDC talked about a recent case of a Texas farm worker testing positive for H5N1 bird flu. "The virus obtained from this person is nearly identical to what has been found in cows and birds in Texas," the CDC said. The CDC added that there was no sign of person-to-person spread of the virus at this time. "At this time, CDC believes that the overall risk to the general public posed by this virus remains low," it added. The CDC further said that the infected farm worker in Texas had exposure to presumably infected cows. The patient reported eye redness, or conjunctivitis, as their only symptom and is recovering. "The patient was told to stay at home away from others and was treated with a flu antiviral drug," the health body added. Recommendations to avoid getting infected Highlighting that the current risk to the public remained low, people with close or long unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, or environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection. Also read | In US, bird flu has spread to dairy herd across six states, confirms USDA The CDC issued a few precautions: > People should avoid unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals including cows. > People should avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), raw milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 bird flu. > The CDC said that people should not prepare or consume uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw cheeses, from animals with suspected infection. Also watch | Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking > Amid concerns about how safe drinking commercial milk is, the CDC said on Friday that it is safe to drink such milk as it is pasteurised before entering the market. Pasteurisation kills bacteria and viruses, like influenza viruses, in milk, it added. > It is also safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry. The CDC also mentioned some recommendations for farmers and livestock owners. It said that such people should avoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with sick or dead birds or other animals, carcasses, faeces, milk, or litter from sick birds or other animals potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with the virus. "Farmers, workers, and responders should wear recommended PPE such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, eye protection, and gloves, and perform thorough hand washing after contact," it added.

US CDC issues advisory for bird flu crisis in country. Here's look at the precautions

The United States Department of Agriculture has recently disclosed updates recently related to the bird flu virus that is spreading through Dairy cattle.

US reveals bird flu updates in dairy cattle | Cattle movement implicated in bird flu outbreak

Scientists in the Antarctic are warning of the spread of the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus The disease was first detected on the frozen continent's mainland last month It has since been detected in local penguin and cormorant populations The spread of the virus has raised alarms about the potential impact on the region's huge penguin colonies

Scientists in Antarctica warn of Bird Flu outbreak as penguin cases confirmed

Experts have warned that a potential bird flue pandemic could be '100 times worse than Covid' as it could lead to deaths up to half of those infected.&nbsp;

Researchers raised concerns during a recent briefing over H5N1 strain of the bird flu. They pointed out that the virus may be nearing a critical threshold that could spark a global epidemic, Daily Mail reported.&nbsp;

Dr Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher warned that H5N1 has potential to cause a pandemic due to its ability to infect a range of mammalian hosts, including humans.

"We are getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic," he said.

"We are not really talking about a virus that is yet to make a jump, we are talking about a virus that is globally present, already infecting a range of mammals and is circulating… It is really high time that we are prepared," he added.

John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant, said: "This appears to be 100 times worse than Covid, or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate. Once it’s mutated to infect humans, we can only hope that the [fatality rate] drops."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-human-case-of-bird-flu-detected-in-texas-the-patients-symptom-was-weirdly-shocking-706726">Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking</a>

Over 50 out of 100 people diagnosed with H5n1 bird flu have died since 2003, with a total of 462 deaths out of 887 cases, according to the World Health Organization.

The H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza A. It is a group of related bird flu viruses. The H5N1 is considered highly pathogenic because of its ability to cause severe and often fatal illness in poultry.

Also watch |&nbsp;Chile detects bird flu in a 53-year-old man; Why is this matter of concern?&nbsp;

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While it mainly affects birds, H5N1 can also infect wild birds and occasionally mammals, including humans. In non-bird species, the disease can be fatal.

But some infected creatures may be mild or show no symptoms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Experts have warned that a potential bird flue pandemic could be '100 times worse than Covid' as it could lead to deaths up to half of those infected. Researchers raised concerns during a recent briefing over H5N1 strain of the bird flu.

Experts have warned that a potential bird flue pandemic could be '100 times worse than Covid' as it could lead to deaths up to half of those infected. Researchers raised concerns during a recent briefing over H5N1 strain of the bird flu. They pointed out that the virus may be nearing a critical threshold that could spark a global epidemic, Daily Mail reported. Dr Suresh Kuchipudi, a bird flu researcher warned that H5N1 has potential to cause a pandemic due to its ability to infect a range of mammalian hosts, including humans. "We are getting dangerously close to this virus potentially causing a pandemic," he said. "We are not really talking about a virus that is yet to make a jump, we are talking about a virus that is globally present, already infecting a range of mammals and is circulating… It is really high time that we are prepared," he added. John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant, said: "This appears to be 100 times worse than Covid, or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate. Once it’s mutated to infect humans, we can only hope that the [fatality rate] drops." Also read | Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking Over 50 out of 100 people diagnosed with H5n1 bird flu have died since 2003, with a total of 462 deaths out of 887 cases, according to the World Health Organization. The H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza A. It is a group of related bird flu viruses. The H5N1 is considered highly pathogenic because of its ability to cause severe and often fatal illness in poultry. Also watch | Chile detects bird flu in a 53-year-old man; Why is this matter of concern? × While it mainly affects birds, H5N1 can also infect wild birds and occasionally mammals, including humans. In non-bird species, the disease can be fatal. But some infected creatures may be mild or show no symptoms. (With inputs from agencies)

Experts flag potential Bird Flu epidemic as '100 times worse than Covid'

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Thursday (Apr 4) that bird flu infected a dairy herd in Ohio for the first time and was detected in additional herds in Kansas and New Mexico.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Thursday (Apr 4) that bird flu infected a dairy herd in Ohio for the first time and was detected in additional herds in Kansas and New Mexico. The USDA confirmed infections in herds across six states since it first reported cases in Texas and Kansas on March 25. The infected dairy in Ohio received cows on March 8 from a Texas dairy, which later confirmed a detection of bird flu, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The USDA said that the initial bird flu cases in Texas and Kansas appeared to have been introduced by wild birds, and the strain of the virus in subsequent cases in New Mexico, Michigan and Idaho was very similar. Also read | Is bird flu to blame for thousands of dead penguins in Antarctica? Scientists rush to find out Bird flu has been found in three dairy herds in Kansas, two in New Mexico, seven in Texas and one each in Ohio, Idaho and Michigan, the department added. Clear signs of virus found in milk At affected dairies in the US, researchers from the USDA tested milk, nasal swabs, and blood from cows and found clear signals of the virus in the milk. At a meeting organised by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization, USDA official Suelee Robbe Austerman said on Thursday, "Right now, we don't have evidence that the virus is actively replicating within the body of the cow other than the udder." USDA’s Mark Lyons, meanwhile, said that the virus might be transmitted from cow to cow in milk droplets on dairy workers’ clothing or gloves, or the suction cups attached to the udders for milking Texas farm worker tests positive for bird flu In Texas, officials reported on Monday (April 1) that a farm worker tested positive for bird flu and the only symptom was eye inflammation. This is the second known case of a human contracting the H5N1 virus in the country. (With inputs from agencies)

In US, bird flu has spread to dairy herd across six states, confirms USDA

Researchers in Antarctica are investigating whether bird flu has killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of Adelie penguins.

Last month, as per a statement by Federation University Australia, a scientific expedition discovered at least 532 dead penguins, with thousands more believed to have perished from an unknown ailment. Researchers suspect that the deadly H5N1 virus might be to blame, reports Reuters.

<h2>Is H5N1 responsible for the hundreds of dead penguins?</h2>

While suspicions point to H5N1, field tests were inconclusive, prompting further analysis. Samples are being sent to labs for deeper analysis as scientists are becoming more and more concerned about the emergence of H5N1 in South America in 2022 and its subsequent arrival in Antarctica.

As per the report, they fear the virus could decimate threatened penguin species and other wildlife on the remote continent&nbsp;already facing challenges from climate change and environmental stressors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-flag-potential-bird-flu-epidemic-as-100-times-worse-than-covid-707839">Experts flag potential Bird Flu epidemic as '100 times worse than Covid'</a>

Meagan Dewar, a wildlife biologist from Federation University, expressed concern over the potential impact of the virus on Antarctic wildlife.

"This has the potential to have a massive impact on wildlife that is already being impacted by things like climate change and other environmental stresses," said Dewar.

She told Reuters that the dead Adelie penguins were found frozen in sub-zero temperatures on Heroina Island. While researchers were unable to tally all of them, their numbers were estimated to be in the thousands.

Despite the large colony of Adelies on the island, the live penguins had already migrated by the time of the expedition, said Dewar.

Her expedition confirmed the presence of the H5 strain of bird flu on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, particularly in skua seabirds known for preying on penguin eggs and chicks.&nbsp;

<h2>Emperor penguins face the threat of bird flu</h2>

With approximately 20 million pairs of penguins breeding in Antarctica annually, including endangered emperor penguins, the threat of bird flu exacerbates existing challenges.

"There is now the potential that emperor penguins could be affected come springtime next year," said Dewar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-human-case-of-bird-flu-detected-in-texas-the-patients-symptom-was-weirdly-shocking-706726">Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking</a>

Climate change-induced sea ice loss has already led to significant mortality among emperor penguin offspring, and the addition of bird flu could further endanger the survival of the iconic species.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers in Antarctica are investigating whether bird flu has killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of Adelie penguins. Last month, as per a statement by Federation University Australia, a scientific expedition discovered at least 532 dead penguins, with thousands more believed to have perished from an unknown ailment.

Researchers in Antarctica are investigating whether bird flu has killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of Adelie penguins. Last month, as per a statement by Federation University Australia, a scientific expedition discovered at least 532 dead penguins, with thousands more believed to have perished from an unknown ailment. Researchers suspect that the deadly H5N1 virus might be to blame, reports Reuters. Is H5N1 responsible for the hundreds of dead penguins? While suspicions point to H5N1, field tests were inconclusive, prompting further analysis. Samples are being sent to labs for deeper analysis as scientists are becoming more and more concerned about the emergence of H5N1 in South America in 2022 and its subsequent arrival in Antarctica. As per the report, they fear the virus could decimate threatened penguin species and other wildlife on the remote continent already facing challenges from climate change and environmental stressors. Also read | Experts flag potential Bird Flu epidemic as '100 times worse than Covid' Meagan Dewar, a wildlife biologist from Federation University, expressed concern over the potential impact of the virus on Antarctic wildlife. "This has the potential to have a massive impact on wildlife that is already being impacted by things like climate change and other environmental stresses," said Dewar. She told Reuters that the dead Adelie penguins were found frozen in sub-zero temperatures on Heroina Island. While researchers were unable to tally all of them, their numbers were estimated to be in the thousands. Despite the large colony of Adelies on the island, the live penguins had already migrated by the time of the expedition, said Dewar. Her expedition confirmed the presence of the H5 strain of bird flu on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, particularly in skua seabirds known for preying on penguin eggs and chicks. Emperor penguins face the threat of bird flu With approximately 20 million pairs of penguins breeding in Antarctica annually, including endangered emperor penguins, the threat of bird flu exacerbates existing challenges. "There is now the potential that emperor penguins could be affected come springtime next year," said Dewar. Also read | Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking Climate change-induced sea ice loss has already led to significant mortality among emperor penguin offspring, and the addition of bird flu could further endanger the survival of the iconic species. (With inputs from agencies)

Is bird flu to blame for thousands of dead penguins in Antarctica? Scientists rush to find out

Bird Flu case in Texas: A rare case of bird flu in a human&nbsp;has been reported in Texas after the patient came in contact with the cattle, who was suspected to have been infected by the virus.

The announcement regarding the rare case was made after the federal agencies informed about the spread of the virus in dairy cattle across different states, which included Texas.

<h2>So, what were the symptoms of bird flu?</h2>

The Texas Department of State Health Services informed that only one symptom was seen in the patient which was eye inflammation.&nbsp;

The patient was last week tested and the results were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the weekend.&nbsp;

The patient is now being administered the antiviral medication oseltamivir which, as per the Mayo Clinic, is used for treating influenza A and B along with the swine flu.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-reports-first-bird-flu-outbreak-in-cows-is-it-safe-to-consume-milk-705214">US reports first bird flu outbreak in cows. Is it safe to consume milk?</a>

According to Texas officials, human cases of bird flu, which are also called H5N1, generally have various symptoms which include mild health issues like respiratory symptoms, eye infection and severe problems like pneumonia. In the worst cases, it can also lead to death.

According to the CDC, this is the second such instance in which a person has contracted the bird flu in the United States. The flu generally infects wild birds, as the name suggests, however, it can also infect domestic species.

In a statement on Monday (April 2), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, “This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the US&nbsp;general public, which CDC considers to be low.”

<h2>Human health risk from bird flu in US low: CDC</h2>

Last week, the CDC, in a statement&nbsp;said that the risk to human health due to bird flu is low in the United States. However, they said that people who work with the cattle are at a higher risk of infection.

Watch:&nbsp;Celebrities who've been diagnosed with rare diseases &amp; more

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The agency further advised against the consumption of unpasteurised dairy products like raw milk or cheese from animals that have bird flu or are suspected to have infection.

“Commercial milk and meat is safe,” said Bender. "No milk from the infected cows entered the food supply," said Texas Commissioner Miller.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bird Flu case in Texas: A rare case of bird flu in a human has been reported in Texas after the patient came in contact with the cattle, who was suspected to have been infected by the virus.

Bird Flu case in Texas: A rare case of bird flu in a human has been reported in Texas after the patient came in contact with the cattle, who was suspected to have been infected by the virus. The announcement regarding the rare case was made after the federal agencies informed about the spread of the virus in dairy cattle across different states, which included Texas. So, what were the symptoms of bird flu? The Texas Department of State Health Services informed that only one symptom was seen in the patient which was eye inflammation. The patient was last week tested and the results were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the weekend. The patient is now being administered the antiviral medication oseltamivir which, as per the Mayo Clinic, is used for treating influenza A and B along with the swine flu. Also Read: US reports first bird flu outbreak in cows. Is it safe to consume milk? According to Texas officials, human cases of bird flu, which are also called H5N1, generally have various symptoms which include mild health issues like respiratory symptoms, eye infection and severe problems like pneumonia. In the worst cases, it can also lead to death. According to the CDC, this is the second such instance in which a person has contracted the bird flu in the United States. The flu generally infects wild birds, as the name suggests, however, it can also infect domestic species. In a statement on Monday (April 2), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, “This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the US general public, which CDC considers to be low.” Human health risk from bird flu in US low: CDC Last week, the CDC, in a statement said that the risk to human health due to bird flu is low in the United States. However, they said that people who work with the cattle are at a higher risk of infection. Watch: Celebrities who've been diagnosed with rare diseases & more The agency further advised against the consumption of unpasteurised dairy products like raw milk or cheese from animals that have bird flu or are suspected to have infection. “Commercial milk and meat is safe,” said Bender. "No milk from the infected cows entered the food supply," said Texas Commissioner Miller. (With inputs from agencies)

Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking

The deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has spread more aggressively than ever before in wild birds and marine mammals since arriving in South America in 2022, raising the risk of it evolving into a bigger threat to humans, according to interviews with eight scientists.

Of more immediate concern is evidence the disease, once largely confined to bird species, appears to be spreading between mammals. This strain has already killed a handful of dolphins in Chile and Peru, some 50,000 seals and sea lions along the coasts, and at least half a million birds regionwide.&nbsp;

To confirm mammal-to-mammal transmission, scientists would likely need to test infections in live animals.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It's almost certainly happened," said Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. "It's pretty hard to explain some of these large infections and die off without having mammal-to-mammal spread."

The strain has shown up in dozens of bird species, including some migrating species, which can spread it beyond the region, scientists told Reuters.

As climate change escalates, animals will be forced to move into new territories, mixing with one another in new ways and possibly boosting opportunities for the virus to further mutate.&nbsp;

"It's a matter of time before you will detect the first South American strain in North America," said Alonzo Alfaro-Nunez, a viral ecologist at University of Copenhagen.

HUMAN RISK

The growing concern has prompted the 35 countries in the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to convene regional health experts and officials at a meeting this week in Rio de Janeiro.

The group plans to launch the world's first regional commission to oversee bird flu monitoring and response efforts, a PAHO official told Reuters. This has not been previously reported.

Since the virus was first detected in Colombia in October 2022, there have been two known cases in humans on the continent, one each in Ecuador and Chile. Both came from exposure to infected birds.&nbsp;

While those patients survived, H5N1 bird flu is deadly to humans in roughly 60% of cases worldwide.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization is unlikely to raise the risk level for humans from the current "low" without evidence of human-to-human transmission or mutations adapted to human receptors, experts said.&nbsp;

Drugmakers, including GSK and Moderna, have said they are developing bird flu vaccines for humans, and have the capacity to produce hundreds of million so doses within months utilizing production lines used for seasonal flu vaccines.

"We're seeing (the virus) doing little evolutionary steps that are on the long-term moving towards a potential human infection," said Ralph Vanstreels, a University of California, Davis researcher studying South American variants of H5N1.

Every year, Argentina's Peninsula Valdes on the windswept Atlantic coast teems with densely packed elephant seals rearing pups.&nbsp;

Last November, Vanstreels came across a grim scene: hundreds of dead and rotting pups on the beach. Researchers estimate 17,400 pups died, nearly all born to the colony that year.&nbsp;

For each of those pups to have been infected by birds is highly unlikely, scientists said. Pups usually have contact only with their mothers, leading scientists to suspect this is how it spread.&nbsp;

Vanstreels is part of a group of scientists working to trace the virus' genetic mutations in South America.

In a draft paper posted on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, they analyzed samples from sea lions, seals and birds from up the coast from Peninsula Valdes. Comparing the genomes from these samples with those collected in North America in 2022 and Asia earlier, the team identified nine new mutations.

The same mutations were found in samples collected in 2022 and 2023 in Chile and Peru, which were also hit by mass mortality of sea lions and birds.&nbsp;

"This is the first time this virus is so adapted to wildlife," Vanstreels said. "Clearly something happened in Peru and in northern Chile where they acquired these new mutations."

In the draft paper, researchers noted that the same mutations were present in one of the continent's two human cases, a 53-year-old man who lived one block from the seashore where seabirds congregated.

Researchers said that case "highlights the potential threat posed by these viruses to public health."&nbsp;

REGIONAL RESPONSE

With health officials and experts meeting in Rio this week, Latin American countries will be pressed to boost disease surveillance in the wild.

The region's patchy data and limited resources has left scientists struggling to understand how the disease is spreading in the wild, with the number of cases likely much higher than reported. Some cases are not being sampled or lab-tested, scientists said.&nbsp;

Bolivia, for example, did not register a case in the wild last year, though the disease has been detected in surrounding countries, said Manuel Jose Sanchez Vazquez, epidemiology coordinator for PAHO's veterinary health center.

Managing the disease response can also be complex, Sanchez noted. Threats to humans are dealt with by public health officials, while threats to poultry or livestock fall to agriculture or veterinary authorities. In wild animals, the purview typically falls to environmental officials.&nbsp;

The new regional commission, expected to be announced on Thursday, would aim to set standard protocols for monitoring, handling and reporting cases among various government agencies. It could also help in pooling laboratory resources, Sanchez said.&nbsp;

"We are worried and we are vigilant," Sanchez said. "The more adaptation of the virus to mammals, the more likely it is that transmission to humans could happen."&nbsp;

The deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has spread more aggressively than ever before in wild birds and marine mammals since arriving in South America in 2022, raising the risk of it evolving into a bigger threat to humans, according to interviews with eight scientists.

The deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has spread more aggressively than ever before in wild birds and marine mammals since arriving in South America in 2022, raising the risk of it evolving into a bigger threat to humans, according to interviews with eight scientists. Of more immediate concern is evidence the disease, once largely confined to bird species, appears to be spreading between mammals. This strain has already killed a handful of dolphins in Chile and Peru, some 50,000 seals and sea lions along the coasts, and at least half a million birds regionwide. To confirm mammal-to-mammal transmission, scientists would likely need to test infections in live animals. "It's almost certainly happened," said Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. "It's pretty hard to explain some of these large infections and die off without having mammal-to-mammal spread." The strain has shown up in dozens of bird species, including some migrating species, which can spread it beyond the region, scientists told Reuters. As climate change escalates, animals will be forced to move into new territories, mixing with one another in new ways and possibly boosting opportunities for the virus to further mutate. "It's a matter of time before you will detect the first South American strain in North America," said Alonzo Alfaro-Nunez, a viral ecologist at University of Copenhagen. HUMAN RISK The growing concern has prompted the 35 countries in the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to convene regional health experts and officials at a meeting this week in Rio de Janeiro. The group plans to launch the world's first regional commission to oversee bird flu monitoring and response efforts, a PAHO official told Reuters. This has not been previously reported. Since the virus was first detected in Colombia in October 2022, there have been two known cases in humans on the continent, one each in Ecuador and Chile. Both came from exposure to infected birds. While those patients survived, H5N1 bird flu is deadly to humans in roughly 60% of cases worldwide. The World Health Organization is unlikely to raise the risk level for humans from the current "low" without evidence of human-to-human transmission or mutations adapted to human receptors, experts said. Drugmakers, including GSK and Moderna, have said they are developing bird flu vaccines for humans, and have the capacity to produce hundreds of million so doses within months utilizing production lines used for seasonal flu vaccines. "We're seeing (the virus) doing little evolutionary steps that are on the long-term moving towards a potential human infection," said Ralph Vanstreels, a University of California, Davis researcher studying South American variants of H5N1. Every year, Argentina's Peninsula Valdes on the windswept Atlantic coast teems with densely packed elephant seals rearing pups. Last November, Vanstreels came across a grim scene: hundreds of dead and rotting pups on the beach. Researchers estimate 17,400 pups died, nearly all born to the colony that year. For each of those pups to have been infected by birds is highly unlikely, scientists said. Pups usually have contact only with their mothers, leading scientists to suspect this is how it spread. Vanstreels is part of a group of scientists working to trace the virus' genetic mutations in South America. In a draft paper posted on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, they analyzed samples from sea lions, seals and birds from up the coast from Peninsula Valdes. Comparing the genomes from these samples with those collected in North America in 2022 and Asia earlier, the team identified nine new mutations. The same mutations were found in samples collected in 2022 and 2023 in Chile and Peru, which were also hit by mass mortality of sea lions and birds. "This is the first time this virus is so adapted to wildlife," Vanstreels said. "Clearly something happened in Peru and in northern Chile where they acquired these new mutations." In the draft paper, researchers noted that the same mutations were present in one of the continent's two human cases, a 53-year-old man who lived one block from the seashore where seabirds congregated. Researchers said that case "highlights the potential threat posed by these viruses to public health." REGIONAL RESPONSE With health officials and experts meeting in Rio this week, Latin American countries will be pressed to boost disease surveillance in the wild. The region's patchy data and limited resources has left scientists struggling to understand how the disease is spreading in the wild, with the number of cases likely much higher than reported. Some cases are not being sampled or lab-tested, scientists said. Bolivia, for example, did not register a case in the wild last year, though the disease has been detected in surrounding countries, said Manuel Jose Sanchez Vazquez, epidemiology coordinator for PAHO's veterinary health center. Managing the disease response can also be complex, Sanchez noted. Threats to humans are dealt with by public health officials, while threats to poultry or livestock fall to agriculture or veterinary authorities. In wild animals, the purview typically falls to environmental officials. The new regional commission, expected to be announced on Thursday, would aim to set standard protocols for monitoring, handling and reporting cases among various government agencies. It could also help in pooling laboratory resources, Sanchez said. "We are worried and we are vigilant," Sanchez said. "The more adaptation of the virus to mammals, the more likely it is that transmission to humans could happen."

Bird flu strain raises alarm as virus kills South American wildlife

In a significant development, scientists have confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of bird flu on the mainland of Antarctica, posing a potential threat to the region's&nbsp;penguin colonies. Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) revealed that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus had been detected on the Antarctic mainland, marking the first instance of its presence despite the geographical isolation and natural barriers separating Antarctica from other continents.

"This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday (Feb 25).

Additionally, data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research indicates a confirmed case at a research base, further highlighting the urgency of addressing this emerging threat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-to-map-mysteries-of-antarctica-using-robot-plane-686750">Also read |&nbsp;Scientists to map mysteries of Antarctica using robot plane</a>

<h2>Confirmation and context</h2>

The virus was identified on February 24 in samples taken from deceased skua seabirds, discovered by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic base Primavera. This confirmation follows previous cases on nearby islands, including infections among gentoo penguins, highlighting&nbsp;the vulnerability of colonies in the region to the H5N1 avian flu, which has caused significant bird population declines worldwide in recent months.

According to CSIC, thorough analysis conclusively identified the birds as carriers of the H5 subtype of avian influenza, with at least one bird containing the highly pathogenic strain of the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rocks-found-in-antarctica-suggest-an-asteroid-may-have-exploded-over-the-continent-25-million-years-ago-687777">Also read |&nbsp;An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests</a>

"Analysis has conclusively shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds contained the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," CSIC said in a statement.

This revelation raises concerns, particularly given the dense gatherings of hundreds of thousands of penguins in colonies across the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could facilitate rapid virus transmission.

Also watch |&nbsp;Antarctic sea ice depleting due to rising temperatures

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/antarctic-sea-ice-depleting-due-to-rising-temperatures-693958/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The presence of the virus in this remote region poses a considerable risk to the already fragile ecosystem, with penguin colonies particularly susceptible to outbreaks.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a significant development, scientists have confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of bird flu on the mainland of Antarctica, posing a potential threat to the region's penguin colonies.

In a significant development, scientists have confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of bird flu on the mainland of Antarctica, posing a potential threat to the region's penguin colonies. Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) revealed that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus had been detected on the Antarctic mainland, marking the first instance of its presence despite the geographical isolation and natural barriers separating Antarctica from other continents. "This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Argentina's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday (Feb 25). Additionally, data from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research indicates a confirmed case at a research base, further highlighting the urgency of addressing this emerging threat. Also read | Scientists to map mysteries of Antarctica using robot plane Confirmation and context The virus was identified on February 24 in samples taken from deceased skua seabirds, discovered by Argentine scientists near the Antarctic base Primavera. This confirmation follows previous cases on nearby islands, including infections among gentoo penguins, highlighting the vulnerability of colonies in the region to the H5N1 avian flu, which has caused significant bird population declines worldwide in recent months. According to CSIC, thorough analysis conclusively identified the birds as carriers of the H5 subtype of avian influenza, with at least one bird containing the highly pathogenic strain of the virus. Also read | An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests "Analysis has conclusively shown that the birds were infected with the H5 subtype of avian influenza and at least one of the dead birds contained the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," CSIC said in a statement. This revelation raises concerns, particularly given the dense gatherings of hundreds of thousands of penguins in colonies across the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could facilitate rapid virus transmission. Also watch | Antarctic sea ice depleting due to rising temperatures The presence of the virus in this remote region poses a considerable risk to the already fragile ecosystem, with penguin colonies particularly susceptible to outbreaks. (With inputs from agencies)

Deadly bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for the first time, confirm scientists

In what comes as a first, at least one king penguin is suspected to have died from bird flu in the Antarctic. If the suspicion is confirmed, it could spell havoc for the population of penguins on the continent.

In what comes as a first, at least one king penguin is suspected to have died from bird flu in the Antarctic. If the suspicion is confirmed, it could spell havoc for the population of penguins on the continent. According to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (Scar), the case was recorded on South Georgia Island. A gentoo penguin is also believed to have died after contracting the H5N1 virus at the same location. More than 20 chicks were also either dead or showed symptoms of the virus. Currently, the king penguins have clustered together for the breeding season. If the lethal variant of avian flu is indeed found in the dead penguin, it could rip through entire colonies and continue to spread through the region. King penguins measure about 3 feet in height and are regarded as the world's second-largest penguins behind Emperor penguins. Earlier this month, using satellite imagery, researchers revealed previously unknown colonies of emperor penguins along the edges of Antarctica. The scientists said that the finding of these nests adds a few thousand extra penguins to the earlier estimated population of 550,000. However, if the bird flu reaches them, it could be disastrous and wipe out the entire species. Emperor penguins are already considered "near threatened" and face extinction. The new bird flu scare has added to the challenge to protect them. Watch: Four new emperor penguin groups discovered in Antarctica H5N1 hits the continent The highly contagious H5N1 virus was first reported when it made its way to populations of brown skuas on Bird Island, part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, in October last year. The death of the migrating brown skuas led researchers to send swabs back to the UK for testing. The results confirmed the presence of H5N1 on the Antarctic island. Also read | Adorable blue Penguin at New Zealand's Wellington airport runway causes flight delays Scientists are concerned that owing to the continent's prior lack of exposure to H5N1, the wildlife has no natural immunity towards the virus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there have been instances where bird flu has been contracted by the mammals who eat presumably infected birds or poultry. Through this way, the virus might be able to jump from birds to mammals, therefore having a tremendous impact on the region's ecosystem. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists fear for penguins in Antarctica as one dies of deadly H5N1 bird flu strain

Bird flu has been detected in fur and elephant seal populations for the first time on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, a team of scientists from the United Kingdom (UK) confirmed on Thursday.

Bird flu has been detected in fur and elephant seal populations for the first time on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, a team of scientists from the United Kingdom (UK) confirmed on Thursday. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, scientists had first suspected the presence of avian influenza in October last year, after the death of several brown skua seabirds on Bird Island which is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. In December, a large number of elephant seals were found dead. Last month, scientists with Britain's Animal and Plant Health and Agency (APHA) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) spent three weeks in the affected islands, collecting samples from dead mammals and birds. Also read: EU agency urges pet owners to keep cats and dogs indoors amid rising cases of avian influenza The scientists said that the samples tested positive for HPAI H5N1 in elephant seals, fur seals, brown skuas, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. “Given Antarctica is such a unique and special biodiversity hotspot it is sad and concerning to see the disease spread to mammals in the region," said APHA scientific services director Ian Brown. Impact of H5N1 on Antarctic wildlife could be devastating Reuters reported that as per scientists, the current impact of H5N1 on Anon Antarctic wildlife could be devastating. A report by the OFFLU (a joint OIE-FAO global network of expertise on animal influenzas) said that the virus had the potential to infect 48 species of birds and 26 species of marine mammals. OFFLU said that thousands of seals and hundreds of thousands of birds congregate in dense colonies in Antarctica which could allow the virus to easily jump between individuals. Alastair Ward, an ecologist at the University of Leeds, said seals that are known to scavenge, may become infected when they consume infected bird carcasses. Amid global concern about the virus' spread to imperilled wildlife populations, Alaskan officials confirmed last week the first known case of a polar bear dying of H5N1. Speaking to Reuters, Andrew Derocher, a polar bear biologist at the University of Alberta, said, "If a bird is weakened by avian influenza, or succumbs to it, polar bears aren't fussy about what eat." Derocher said that if a bird is dead and it is edible, polar bears will probably eat it. "There is a high likelihood of an interaction between climate change, avian influenza, bird mortality and polar bears," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Bird flu detected in seals in southern Atlantic for the first time

Alaska has recorded the first case of a polar bear dying due to bird flu, alarming experts about the already stressed extant species. The polar bear died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), contracted by scavenging on bird carcasses infected with the deadly strain H5N1.

Alaska has recorded the first case of a polar bear dying due to bird flu, alarming experts about the already stressed extant species. The polar bear died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), contracted by scavenging on bird carcasses infected with the deadly strain H5N1. If the infection spreads, it could be dangerous for the Arctic population which is already facing issues due to climate change. The Division of Environmental Health officials confirmed the death in December after they found the dead polar bear in the northernmost town of Utqiagvik in October. The case wasn't a surprise, as black and brown bears have previously contracted the deadly virus. However, it's more concerning as polar bears are a vulnerable species. Loss of their sea habitat has already hit their population. If the infection spreads, additional deaths could serve as another blow to the species. Alaska's state veterinarian, Robert Gerlach, told Live Science that the infection might have already spread among other polar bears. ALSO READ | 'Magic islands' on Saturn's moon Titan are nothing but Swiss-cheese-like snow clusters First identified in 1996 in China, the H5N1 has now spread worldwide. In 2020, a new variant of the deadly virus emerged, killing unprecedented birds. It also spread to North America in 2021. The virus has impacted numerous mammals, resulting in thousands of deaths. Douglas Clark, associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan's School of Environment and Sustainability, said, "This is unlikely to be an isolated event. It's just that this one led to an outcome that was detected." Due to their habitat, monitoring the virus among polar bears can be difficult for experts. However, the risk of transmission among polar bears is low because they are a solitary species. But, the concern remains as they have started to feed more on seabirds due to the reduced sea ice. Pollution is another aspect which makes polar bears more vulnerable to bird flu. Anthropogenic chemicals highly affect the species as they accumulate in the high-fat diets of animals. As their fat store depletes, these stored pollutants start interfering with the immune system. Andrew Derocher, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Canada's University of Alberta, said, "A bear fasting for longer, nutritionally stressed, may have a weakened immune system. Now expose a bear with a weakened immune system to avian influenza and the issue of surviving the exposure becomes more challenging." (With inputs from agencies)

Polar bear dies of bird flu, triggering fresh concerns amid climate change

According to reports, which cited the Singapore Food Agency, Singapore has prohibited the import of raw poultry and poultry products from four Japanese prefectures in response to recent reports of bird flu outbreaks.

Singapore halts poultry from parts of Japan on bird flu; France on 'high' alert for bird flu

Antarctica, known for its pristine and secluded landscapes, now faces an unprecedented threat as avian flu, a lethal variant of bird flu, has been identified on Bird Island, a part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

This discovery has raised concerns among scientists, environmentalists, and wildlife experts about the potentially devastating consequences for the region's unique wildlife and ecosystems.

<h2>The spread of H5N1</h2>

Avian flu, specifically the H5N1 subtype, has gained notoriety for its global spread.

H5N1 is classified as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) due to its severe impact on poultry populations.

Historically, avian flu outbreaks followed seasonal patterns. However, since 2021, they have become persistent, resulting in the deaths of millions of birds in 2022.

The relentless spread of this virus has raised concerns about its potential threat to wildlife in the uncharted territories of Antarctica.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/over-75-trillion-tonnes-decline-in-antarcticas-ice-shelves-since-1997-half-show-no-sign-of-recovery-646295">Also read |&nbsp;Over 7.5 trillion tonnes decline in Antarctica's ice shelves since 1997, half show 'no sign of recovery'</a>

<h2>Challenges in human and interspecies transmission</h2>

H5N1, in its complexity, presents challenges not only in transmission but also in its genetic makeup. The virus is notoriously difficult to transmit from animals to humans, and human-to-human transmission is exceptionally rare.

However, the scientific community remains vigilant about the potential consequences of co-infection, where individuals could contract both H5N1 and seasonal flu viruses, leading to the exchange of genetic material with unpredictable outcomes.

Antarctica is home to a myriad of species that exist nowhere else on Earth. These unique organisms have evolved in isolation and have never encountered bird flu viruses.

The introduction of avian flu into this ecosystem poses a grave threat. The largely unknown response of these species to the virus creates a sense of urgency among scientists to understand and mitigate the potential consequences.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctica-likely-warming-much-faster-than-prediction-of-climate-change-models-study-633633">Also read |&nbsp;Antarctica likely warming much faster than climate change models predicted: Study</a>

<h2>Unique bird species under threat</h2>

Bird Island, situated about 966 kilometres&nbsp;southeast of the Falkland Islands, is one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots.

It is home to approximately 50,000 breeding pairs of penguins and an impressive 65,000 pairs of fur seals. The island also hosts various endangered bird species.

The presence of avian flu on Bird Island could lead to catastrophic breeding failures, potentially causing a devastating impact on the island's diverse and unique wildlife.

<h2>Risk assessment&nbsp;</h2>

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research conducted a comprehensive risk assessment to understand the potential impact of avian flu on Antarctica. Penguins, birds of prey, sheathbills, and giant petrels are identified as the most vulnerable species, facing direct threats from the virus. Following them are fur seals, sea lions, skuas, and gulls, which also face a considerable risk.

Dr&nbsp;Meagan Dewar, chair of the Antarctic Wildlife Health Network, serves as the lead author of a report emphasising the potential for "catastrophic breeding failure" in Antarctica due to avian flu. He told the Telegraph that the consequences of such an event would have a "devastating impact on many wildlife species."&nbsp;

<h2>Alarming presence on south Georgia</h2>

South Georgia, the territory where the infected skuas were discovered, is a crucial region for a variety of species. It houses a diverse array of wildlife, including albatrosses, macaroni and Gentoo penguins, as well as northern and southern giant petrels.

Experts are deeply concerned that these bird populations may also contract the virus. Avian flu is primarily transmitted through direct contact or faeces, raising concerns about its potential spread in this critical region.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Melting poles in Antarctica under threat

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-melting-poles-in-antarctica-under-threat-639941/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>What makes Antarctica so unique?</h2>

Antarctica is a vast continent blanketed in ice and surrounded by ocean, differing from the Arctic, which is an icy sea enclosed by landmasses. Its immense size surpasses that of Europe and even during summer, it remains 62 times larger than the UK. Antarctica boasts several extreme superlatives – it is the highest, driest, windiest, and coldest continent, with its temperature plummeting to a chilling -94°C. Paradoxically, it experiences minimal snowfall, as its arid conditions classify it as a polar desert.

For a portion of the year, Antarctica is shrouded in darkness, devoid of trees and shrubs, with only two native flowering plant species. Notably, no permanent human inhabitants or native populations exist in Antarctica. Nevertheless, it draws up to 5,000 scientists and researchers, including WWF-supported teams studying Emperor and Adélie penguins. Approximately 30,000 tourists visit annually, necessitating stringent management to safeguard this unspoiled environment.

Despite being one of the world's least disturbed regions, Antarctica faces growing vulnerability, particularly to the impacts of global warming and climate change.

<h2>Antarctica's lack of immunity</h2>

Antarctica has never experienced a bird flu outbreak, resulting in a lack of immunity among the local wildlife populations. Dr Thijs Kuiken, a veterinary pathologist at Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, told the New York Times,&nbsp;that the population is "completely naive" to the virus, significantly increasing the risk of high mortality rates if an outbreak were to occur.

The detection of avian flu on Bird Island in Antarctica is an alarming development that raises significant concerns about the region's fragile ecosystem and its unique wildlife.

As scientists continue to monitor the situation, the ultimate impact of this virus on Antarctica remains uncertain.&nbsp;

Antarctica, known for its pristine and secluded landscapes, now faces an unprecedented threat as avian flu, a lethal variant of bird flu, has been identified on Bird Island, a part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Antarctica, known for its pristine and secluded landscapes, now faces an unprecedented threat as avian flu, a lethal variant of bird flu, has been identified on Bird Island, a part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. This discovery has raised concerns among scientists, environmentalists, and wildlife experts about the potentially devastating consequences for the region's unique wildlife and ecosystems. The spread of H5N1 Avian flu, specifically the H5N1 subtype, has gained notoriety for its global spread. H5N1 is classified as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) due to its severe impact on poultry populations. Historically, avian flu outbreaks followed seasonal patterns. However, since 2021, they have become persistent, resulting in the deaths of millions of birds in 2022. The relentless spread of this virus has raised concerns about its potential threat to wildlife in the uncharted territories of Antarctica. Also read | Over 7.5 trillion tonnes decline in Antarctica's ice shelves since 1997, half show 'no sign of recovery' Challenges in human and interspecies transmission H5N1, in its complexity, presents challenges not only in transmission but also in its genetic makeup. The virus is notoriously difficult to transmit from animals to humans, and human-to-human transmission is exceptionally rare. However, the scientific community remains vigilant about the potential consequences of co-infection, where individuals could contract both H5N1 and seasonal flu viruses, leading to the exchange of genetic material with unpredictable outcomes. Antarctica is home to a myriad of species that exist nowhere else on Earth. These unique organisms have evolved in isolation and have never encountered bird flu viruses. The introduction of avian flu into this ecosystem poses a grave threat. The largely unknown response of these species to the virus creates a sense of urgency among scientists to understand and mitigate the potential consequences. Also read | Antarctica likely warming much faster than climate change models predicted: Study Unique bird species under threat Bird Island, situated about 966 kilometres southeast of the Falkland Islands, is one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots. It is home to approximately 50,000 breeding pairs of penguins and an impressive 65,000 pairs of fur seals. The island also hosts various endangered bird species. The presence of avian flu on Bird Island could lead to catastrophic breeding failures, potentially causing a devastating impact on the island's diverse and unique wildlife. Risk assessment The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research conducted a comprehensive risk assessment to understand the potential impact of avian flu on Antarctica. Penguins, birds of prey, sheathbills, and giant petrels are identified as the most vulnerable species, facing direct threats from the virus. Following them are fur seals, sea lions, skuas, and gulls, which also face a considerable risk. Dr Meagan Dewar, chair of the Antarctic Wildlife Health Network, serves as the lead author of a report emphasising the potential for "catastrophic breeding failure" in Antarctica due to avian flu. He told the Telegraph that the consequences of such an event would have a "devastating impact on many wildlife species." Alarming presence on south Georgia South Georgia, the territory where the infected skuas were discovered, is a crucial region for a variety of species. It houses a diverse array of wildlife, including albatrosses, macaroni and Gentoo penguins, as well as northern and southern giant petrels. Experts are deeply concerned that these bird populations may also contract the virus. Avian flu is primarily transmitted through direct contact or faeces, raising concerns about its potential spread in this critical region. Also watch | Gravitas: Melting poles in Antarctica under threat What makes Antarctica so unique? Antarctica is a vast continent blanketed in ice and surrounded by ocean, differing from the Arctic, which is an icy sea enclosed by landmasses. Its immense size surpasses that of Europe and even during summer, it remains 62 times larger than the UK. Antarctica boasts several extreme superlatives – it is the highest, driest, windiest, and coldest continent, with its temperature plummeting to a chilling -94°C. Paradoxically, it experiences minimal snowfall, as its arid conditions classify it as a polar desert. For a portion of the year, Antarctica is shrouded in darkness, devoid of trees and shrubs, with only two native flowering plant species. Notably, no permanent human inhabitants or native populations exist in Antarctica. Nevertheless, it draws up to 5,000 scientists and researchers, including WWF-supported teams studying Emperor and Adélie penguins. Approximately 30,000 tourists visit annually, necessitating stringent management to safeguard this unspoiled environment. Despite being one of the world's least disturbed regions, Antarctica faces growing vulnerability, particularly to the impacts of global warming and climate change. Antarctica's lack of immunity Antarctica has never experienced a bird flu outbreak, resulting in a lack of immunity among the local wildlife populations. Dr Thijs Kuiken, a veterinary pathologist at Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, told the New York Times, that the population is "completely naive" to the virus, significantly increasing the risk of high mortality rates if an outbreak were to occur. The detection of avian flu on Bird Island in Antarctica is an alarming development that raises significant concerns about the region's fragile ecosystem and its unique wildlife. As scientists continue to monitor the situation, the ultimate impact of this virus on Antarctica remains uncertain.

Explained | Will bird flu's arrival in Antarctica spell 'catastrophe' for its unique wildlife?

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - Bird flu detected in Antarctica for the first time, Scientists create 'identical twin' universe using the biggest supercomputer, American woman lives with no pulse due to rare 'heart condition'.

Bird flu detected in Antarctica | Scientists create 'identical twin' universe | Trending on WION

A study conducted by an international team of scientists led by the University of Hong Kong found that the epicentre of the deadly bird flu outbreaks moved to Europe and Africa from Asia. The findings of the research published in the journal, Nature on Wednesday (Oct 18) also suggest that the strain currently circulating worldwide has become increasingly infectious among wild birds.

<h2>How was the study conducted?</h2>

The international team of researchers analysed the outbreaks of the H5N1 which has been classified as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus given the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/current-avian-flu-strain-deadlier-may-become-endemic-study-584384">high death toll</a> in poultry. It was said to have been first detected in birds in China back in 1996.&nbsp;

Scientists studied the outbreaks between 2005 and 2022 and used the data on confirmed cases from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).&nbsp;

They have attributed the current outbreak to a highly infectious variant of H5N1 which is becoming increasingly infectious to wild birds.&nbsp;

It also caused Europe’s worst bird flu outbreak, before spreading globally. This strain has reportedly reached every continent except Oceania and Antarctica.&nbsp;

<h2>What was found?</h2>

The bird flu viruses which typically emerged from Asia for 25 years had not undergone any major change but their spread among wild birds indicates that the outbreaks are shifting, said the study.

The current strain first emerged in Europe in 2020.&nbsp;Around that time researchers also noted how the rate of spread among wild birds was three times faster than that in farmed poultry due to the mutations which allowed the virus to adapt to diverse species. 
&nbsp; 
The spread of bird flu within the poultry industry is determined by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-to-vaccinate-millions-of-ducks-against-bird-flu-despite-risk-of-import-restrictions-641798">human activity</a>&nbsp;and the trading of birds. However, for wild birds, it is their migratory routes that indicate where the disease will spread and with flyways along the east Atlantic and Pacific, the virus was able to spread to areas that had never been exposed to it before. &nbsp;

“These results highlight a shift in the HPAI H5 epicentre beyond Asia,” researchers wrote in the paper. The study also noted how outbreaks are typically seasonal and synchronise with bird migration in the Northern Hemisphere.&nbsp;

However, since November 2021, they have become persistent which led to the killing of millions of birds across five continents in 2022.&nbsp;

But despite the number of outbreaks, only 0.2 per cent of cases were sequenced, the researchers noted, urging the countries to ramp up surveillance to understand how the virus is changing.&nbsp;

<h2>Need for better data collection</h2>

To study the changes in the virus’&nbsp;behaviour, researchers also analysed more than 10,000 viral genomes and found that around mid-2020, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bird-flu-thing-of-past-scientists-achieve-major-breakthrough-with-gene-editing-645150">new H5N1 strain</a> evolved from an earlier variety, called H5N8.&nbsp;

This new variant first emerged in poultry in Egypt between 2016 and 2017 and is said to be the cause of global flare-ups throughout 2020 and 2021.&nbsp;

“Once it’s adapted to wild birds, we have no mechanism to control the virus. And I think that’s the biggest impact that has changed now,” says co-author Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran from the University of Hong Kong.

 
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A study conducted by an international team of scientists led by the University of Hong Kong found that the epicentre of the deadly bird flu outbreaks moved to Europe and Africa from Asia.

A study conducted by an international team of scientists led by the University of Hong Kong found that the epicentre of the deadly bird flu outbreaks moved to Europe and Africa from Asia. The findings of the research published in the journal, Nature on Wednesday (Oct 18) also suggest that the strain currently circulating worldwide has become increasingly infectious among wild birds. How was the study conducted? The international team of researchers analysed the outbreaks of the H5N1 which has been classified as a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus given the high death toll in poultry. It was said to have been first detected in birds in China back in 1996. Scientists studied the outbreaks between 2005 and 2022 and used the data on confirmed cases from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). They have attributed the current outbreak to a highly infectious variant of H5N1 which is becoming increasingly infectious to wild birds. It also caused Europe’s worst bird flu outbreak, before spreading globally. This strain has reportedly reached every continent except Oceania and Antarctica. What was found? The bird flu viruses which typically emerged from Asia for 25 years had not undergone any major change but their spread among wild birds indicates that the outbreaks are shifting, said the study. The current strain first emerged in Europe in 2020. Around that time researchers also noted how the rate of spread among wild birds was three times faster than that in farmed poultry due to the mutations which allowed the virus to adapt to diverse species. The spread of bird flu within the poultry industry is determined by human activity and the trading of birds. However, for wild birds, it is their migratory routes that indicate where the disease will spread and with flyways along the east Atlantic and Pacific, the virus was able to spread to areas that had never been exposed to it before. “These results highlight a shift in the HPAI H5 epicentre beyond Asia,” researchers wrote in the paper. The study also noted how outbreaks are typically seasonal and synchronise with bird migration in the Northern Hemisphere. However, since November 2021, they have become persistent which led to the killing of millions of birds across five continents in 2022. But despite the number of outbreaks, only 0.2 per cent of cases were sequenced, the researchers noted, urging the countries to ramp up surveillance to understand how the virus is changing. Need for better data collection To study the changes in the virus’ behaviour, researchers also analysed more than 10,000 viral genomes and found that around mid-2020, a new H5N1 strain evolved from an earlier variety, called H5N8. This new variant first emerged in poultry in Egypt between 2016 and 2017 and is said to be the cause of global flare-ups throughout 2020 and 2021. “Once it’s adapted to wild birds, we have no mechanism to control the virus. And I think that’s the biggest impact that has changed now,” says co-author Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran from the University of Hong Kong. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Epicentre beyond Asia’: Deadly bird flu outbreaks ‘migrated’ to Europe and Africa, finds study

Scientists have used gene-editing technology to develop chickens with increased resistance to avian influenza. The research, published in Nature Communications, underscores genetic engineering as a potential method for mitigating the impact of bird flu, a threat to animals and humans.&nbsp;

<h2>Risk of avian influenza reduced but not completely eliminated</h2>

Despite the gene editing, some infections still occurred in the gene-edited chickens, particularly at high virus exposure levels.&nbsp;

The research serves as a proof of concept, offering hope for creating flu-resistant chickens, but more work is needed.&nbsp;

<h2>How the study was done?</h2>

CRISPR, a precise DNA-editing tool, was used to modify a chicken gene responsible for the ANP32A protein, which the flu virus exploits for replication. These edits showed no adverse health effects in the chickens.

Control chickens were infected when exposed to a mild flu virus, whereas gene-edited chickens exhibited resistance to infection, even when subjected to higher virus doses.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chicken-or-egg-scientists-claim-to-have-found-answer-to-century-old-puzzle-604497">Chicken or Egg? Scientists claim to have found answer to centuries-old puzzle</a>

In high-dose scenarios, some mutations allowed the virus to adapt and utilize the edited ANP32A protein. While these mutations raised concerns, they alone weren't sufficient for the virus to adapt to humans.

The mutated flu virus could replicate in the absence of ANP32A by using other proteins in the same family. The researchers are now working on creating chickens with edits in all three genes of this protein family.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

Gene editing has long been touted as a technology with potential to eliminate the need for routine poultry vaccinations in a promising solution to disease resistance.

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The main question remains whether chickens with these edits will develop normally and grow at the desired rate. However, gene editing has shown enough promise in making hosts less susceptible to the flu, implying less stress to public health posed by avian flu outbreaks.

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Scientists have used gene-editing technology to develop chickens with increased resistance to avian influenza. The research, published in Nature Communications, underscores genetic engineering as a potential method for mitigating the impact of bird flu, a threat to animals and humans.

Scientists have used gene-editing technology to develop chickens with increased resistance to avian influenza. The research, published in Nature Communications, underscores genetic engineering as a potential method for mitigating the impact of bird flu, a threat to animals and humans. Risk of avian influenza reduced but not completely eliminated Despite the gene editing, some infections still occurred in the gene-edited chickens, particularly at high virus exposure levels. The research serves as a proof of concept, offering hope for creating flu-resistant chickens, but more work is needed. How the study was done? CRISPR, a precise DNA-editing tool, was used to modify a chicken gene responsible for the ANP32A protein, which the flu virus exploits for replication. These edits showed no adverse health effects in the chickens. Control chickens were infected when exposed to a mild flu virus, whereas gene-edited chickens exhibited resistance to infection, even when subjected to higher virus doses. Also read | Chicken or Egg? Scientists claim to have found answer to centuries-old puzzle In high-dose scenarios, some mutations allowed the virus to adapt and utilize the edited ANP32A protein. While these mutations raised concerns, they alone weren't sufficient for the virus to adapt to humans. The mutated flu virus could replicate in the absence of ANP32A by using other proteins in the same family. The researchers are now working on creating chickens with edits in all three genes of this protein family. What does it mean? Gene editing has long been touted as a technology with potential to eliminate the need for routine poultry vaccinations in a promising solution to disease resistance. Also watch | WION Climate Tracker | Study: Climate impact labels could help people eat less red meat × The main question remains whether chickens with these edits will develop normally and grow at the desired rate. However, gene editing has shown enough promise in making hosts less susceptible to the flu, implying less stress to public health posed by avian flu outbreaks. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bird flu thing of the past? Scientists achieve major breakthrough with gene-editing

France began vaccinating millions of ducks on Monday (Oct 2), becoming the&nbsp;only European country with a vaccination campaign against bird flu in a bid to avoid mass culls. The move comes despite countries like the United States and Japan saying that they would impose import restrictions on French poultry.

France has been one of the countries worst affected by the unprecedented global spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu.&nbsp;

“There’s high pressure from the virus, but vaccination should mean we only face individual cases, avoiding the tidal wave sweeping through farms,” said Jocelyn Marguerie, poultry chief at the SNGTV farm vets’ association, as quoted by AFP.&nbsp;

<h2>What is France planning to do?</h2>

Around 60 million ducks are to be vaccinated across the country over the next year after France made the two-jab course for ducklings as young as 10 days on farms raising more than 250 birds mandatory from October.

The first shots were administered on Monday morning to ducks on a farm in the Landes, a region in southwestern France in the presence of Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau. “It’s a moment of optimism, we have the feeling of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Fesneau told reporters there.&nbsp;

The total cost to vaccinate the millions of birds is estimated to be $102 million (96 million euros), out of which 85 per cent will be funded by the government.&nbsp;

The country’s first 80 million doses will come from pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.&nbsp;

<h2>Bird flu in France</h2>

France’s liver for foie gras or meat-producing duck sector is especially sensitive to the virus. The country’s poultry population saw a wave of bird flu in 2015-17 and has suffered nearly constant outbreaks since 2020.&nbsp;

“This vaccination plan...is a world first: its goal is to protect all farmed birds and should put an end to the preventive slaughter of animals, which no one wants to live with anymore,” said duck and fois gras makers group CIFOG.

The discovery of one case would mean culling for the whole farm and others nearby, often bringing a heavy financial toll on French farmers.&nbsp;

“I’ve been caught up in four culls since 2016. I hope we’ll get back to being unscathed. (vaccination) has to work!” Thierry Dezes, who raises ducks in Landes and plans to jab some 5,000 ducklings, as quoted by AFP.&nbsp;

There has been some backlash about the move as one farmer told AFP how customers don’t want meat from “vaccinated ducks”.&nbsp;

<h2>US, Japan import restrictions</h2>

The US imposed restrictions on imports of French poultry starting October 1 citing a risk of introduction and spread of the virus into the country since vaccinated birds may not show signs of infection.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a senior official at the Japanese ministry of agriculture told AFP that Tokyo would suspend imports of French poultry products after the vaccination campaign had started.

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
 
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France began vaccinating millions of ducks on Monday (Oct 2), becoming the only European country with a vaccination campaign against bird flu in a bid to avoid mass culls.

France began vaccinating millions of ducks on Monday (Oct 2), becoming the only European country with a vaccination campaign against bird flu in a bid to avoid mass culls. The move comes despite countries like the United States and Japan saying that they would impose import restrictions on French poultry. France has been one of the countries worst affected by the unprecedented global spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu. “There’s high pressure from the virus, but vaccination should mean we only face individual cases, avoiding the tidal wave sweeping through farms,” said Jocelyn Marguerie, poultry chief at the SNGTV farm vets’ association, as quoted by AFP. What is France planning to do? Around 60 million ducks are to be vaccinated across the country over the next year after France made the two-jab course for ducklings as young as 10 days on farms raising more than 250 birds mandatory from October. The first shots were administered on Monday morning to ducks on a farm in the Landes, a region in southwestern France in the presence of Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau. “It’s a moment of optimism, we have the feeling of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Fesneau told reporters there. The total cost to vaccinate the millions of birds is estimated to be $102 million (96 million euros), out of which 85 per cent will be funded by the government. The country’s first 80 million doses will come from pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. Bird flu in France France’s liver for foie gras or meat-producing duck sector is especially sensitive to the virus. The country’s poultry population saw a wave of bird flu in 2015-17 and has suffered nearly constant outbreaks since 2020. “This vaccination plan...is a world first: its goal is to protect all farmed birds and should put an end to the preventive slaughter of animals, which no one wants to live with anymore,” said duck and fois gras makers group CIFOG. The discovery of one case would mean culling for the whole farm and others nearby, often bringing a heavy financial toll on French farmers. “I’ve been caught up in four culls since 2016. I hope we’ll get back to being unscathed. (vaccination) has to work!” Thierry Dezes, who raises ducks in Landes and plans to jab some 5,000 ducklings, as quoted by AFP. There has been some backlash about the move as one farmer told AFP how customers don’t want meat from “vaccinated ducks”. US, Japan import restrictions The US imposed restrictions on imports of French poultry starting October 1 citing a risk of introduction and spread of the virus into the country since vaccinated birds may not show signs of infection. Meanwhile, a senior official at the Japanese ministry of agriculture told AFP that Tokyo would suspend imports of French poultry products after the vaccination campaign had started. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France to vaccinate millions of ducks against bird flu despite risk of import restrictions

A highly infectious bird flu is threatening sea lions in Argentina. Now, Argentina’s animal health authorities are on high alert due to the outbreak of highly infectious bird flu.

Bird-flu threatens sea lions in Argentina

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Poland has become the first country to report a high number of cats infected with bird flu across a wide area. Despite this development, the risk of human infection remains low. Polish health authorities informed the WHO about a month ago regarding unusual cat deaths occurring throughout the country, reported AFP news agency.

Following their investigation, it was found that 29 cats tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus. A total of 46 cats and one captive caracal were tested for the virus. Among the infected animals, 14 were euthanized, and 11 others died. The most recent death was reported on June 30.

<h2>Source of infection unknown</h2>

The exact source of the cats' exposure to the virus remains unknown&nbsp;and a probe is on.

"The source of the exposure of cats to the virus is currently unknown and epizootic investigations are ongoing," WHO said in a statement.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/entrance-to-underworld-mysterious-tunnels-chambers-found-beneath-ancient-church-in-mexico-616477">Entrance to underworld? Mysterious tunnels, chambers found beneath ancient church in Mexico</a> 
 
Europe has been experiencing its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu since late 2021, with severe outbreaks also reported in North and South America.

This has led to the culling of tens of millions of poultry worldwide, with many carrying the H5N1 strain of the virus, which was first identified in 1996. Recently, there has been a concerning increase in infections among mammals.

<h2>Unprecedented number of infected cats</h2>

While sporadic cases of H5N1 infections in cats have been reported before, the current situation in Poland is the first time such a&nbsp;high number of infected cats has been observed over a wide geographical area within a single country.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/smoke-rising-canadian-wildfires-places-60-million-us-residents-under-air-quality-alerts-616431">Smoke from Canadian wildfires places 60 million US residents under air quality alerts</a>

As of July 12, no humans who had contact with the infected cats reported any symptoms of bird flu. The WHO has completed the surveillance period for all contacts.

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The risk of human infection following exposure to infected cats has been assessed as low for the general population in Poland. However, for individuals such as cat owners, veterinarians, and others who are regularly exposed to H5N1-infected cats without using personal protective equipment, the risk is considered low to moderate.

<h2>Human bird flu cases</h2>

Human infections of bird flu are rare but can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate when they occur. Most cases are the result of direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments. The WHO has received 12 reports of human H5N1 cases worldwide since 2020, with four being severe cases and eight mild or asymptomatic cases.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Poland has become the first country to report a high number of cats infected with bird flu across a wide area.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Poland has become the first country to report a high number of cats infected with bird flu across a wide area. Despite this development, the risk of human infection remains low. Polish health authorities informed the WHO about a month ago regarding unusual cat deaths occurring throughout the country, reported AFP news agency. Following their investigation, it was found that 29 cats tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus. A total of 46 cats and one captive caracal were tested for the virus. Among the infected animals, 14 were euthanized, and 11 others died. The most recent death was reported on June 30. Source of infection unknown The exact source of the cats' exposure to the virus remains unknown and a probe is on. "The source of the exposure of cats to the virus is currently unknown and epizootic investigations are ongoing," WHO said in a statement. Also Read | Entrance to underworld? Mysterious tunnels, chambers found beneath ancient church in Mexico Europe has been experiencing its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu since late 2021, with severe outbreaks also reported in North and South America. This has led to the culling of tens of millions of poultry worldwide, with many carrying the H5N1 strain of the virus, which was first identified in 1996. Recently, there has been a concerning increase in infections among mammals. Unprecedented number of infected cats While sporadic cases of H5N1 infections in cats have been reported before, the current situation in Poland is the first time such a high number of infected cats has been observed over a wide geographical area within a single country. Also Read | Smoke from Canadian wildfires places 60 million US residents under air quality alerts As of July 12, no humans who had contact with the infected cats reported any symptoms of bird flu. The WHO has completed the surveillance period for all contacts. Watch | Attack on Crimean Bridge: At least 2 killed in Kerch blasts, Moscow blames Kyiv × The risk of human infection following exposure to infected cats has been assessed as low for the general population in Poland. However, for individuals such as cat owners, veterinarians, and others who are regularly exposed to H5N1-infected cats without using personal protective equipment, the risk is considered low to moderate. Human bird flu cases Human infections of bird flu are rare but can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate when they occur. Most cases are the result of direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments. The WHO has received 12 reports of human H5N1 cases worldwide since 2020, with four being severe cases and eight mild or asymptomatic cases. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

'Unusual cat deaths' in Poland attributed to bird flu: WHO

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a recommendation for cat and dog owners to keep their pets indoors in response to a surge in avian influenza cases worldwide. This guidance comes after 24 cats tested positive for the virus in Poland.

<h2>EFSA recommendation</h2>

To prevent exposure, EFSA has advised pet owners to avoid contact between domestic cats, dogs, and other carnivorous pets with dead or sick animals.

"Possible measures are keeping dogs on a leash, and confining cats indoors in areas where extensive circulation of HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] viruses in wild birds has been confirmed," it said in a bulletin.

The EFSA's recommendation serves as a precautionary measure to protect pets from avian influenza and mitigate the risk of further transmission.

Italy has reported infections in five dogs and one cat in recent weeks, while Poland has witnessed 24 cases in domestic cats across various regions since June 10.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/success-is-possible-unaids-insists-end-of-aids-is-still-possible-by-2030-urges-global-action-615163">'Success is possible': UNAIDS insists 'end of AIDS' is still possible by 2030, urges global action</a>

The exact source of contamination has not yet been determined, but one hypothesis is that the infected animals may have consumed raw poultry meat contaminated with the virus.

<h2>A 'bird flu' vaccine for birds</h2>

In response to the escalating cases of bird flu, in April, the United States begun testing several vaccine candidates for potential use in birds.

As per AFP, France aims to commence poultry vaccination as early as autumn this year.

However, Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, cautioned that vaccination alone is not a definitive solution as the virus continually evolves. In his words, vaccinating poultry was not a "a silver bullet because the virus changes constantly."

<h2>Bird flu and humans</h2>

Avian influenza, caused by the H5N1 virus, had previously been mostly limited to seasonal outbreaks since its emergence in 1996. However, in mid-2021, a significant change occurred, making the group of viruses much more infectious, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre that studies influenza in animals.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alarming-warning-from-who-bird-flu-poses-increased-risk-of-adapting-to-humans-614852">Alarming warning from WHO: Bird flu poses increased risk of adapting to humans</a>

Although rare, humans can contract the avian influenza virus, typically after close contact with infected birds. In recent times, the virus has also been detected in an increasing number of mammals.

On Wednesday, the WHO also issued a warning that the recent surge in bird flu outbreaks among mammals could facilitate the transmission of the virus to humans.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a recommendation for cat and dog owners to keep their pets indoors in response to a surge in avian influenza cases worldwide.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a recommendation for cat and dog owners to keep their pets indoors in response to a surge in avian influenza cases worldwide. This guidance comes after 24 cats tested positive for the virus in Poland. EFSA recommendation To prevent exposure, EFSA has advised pet owners to avoid contact between domestic cats, dogs, and other carnivorous pets with dead or sick animals. "Possible measures are keeping dogs on a leash, and confining cats indoors in areas where extensive circulation of HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] viruses in wild birds has been confirmed," it said in a bulletin. The EFSA's recommendation serves as a precautionary measure to protect pets from avian influenza and mitigate the risk of further transmission. Italy has reported infections in five dogs and one cat in recent weeks, while Poland has witnessed 24 cases in domestic cats across various regions since June 10. Also read | 'Success is possible': UNAIDS insists 'end of AIDS' is still possible by 2030, urges global action The exact source of contamination has not yet been determined, but one hypothesis is that the infected animals may have consumed raw poultry meat contaminated with the virus. A 'bird flu' vaccine for birds In response to the escalating cases of bird flu, in April, the United States begun testing several vaccine candidates for potential use in birds. As per AFP, France aims to commence poultry vaccination as early as autumn this year. However, Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, cautioned that vaccination alone is not a definitive solution as the virus continually evolves. In his words, vaccinating poultry was not a "a silver bullet because the virus changes constantly." Bird flu and humans Avian influenza, caused by the H5N1 virus, had previously been mostly limited to seasonal outbreaks since its emergence in 1996. However, in mid-2021, a significant change occurred, making the group of viruses much more infectious, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre that studies influenza in animals. Also read | Alarming warning from WHO: Bird flu poses increased risk of adapting to humans Although rare, humans can contract the avian influenza virus, typically after close contact with infected birds. In recent times, the virus has also been detected in an increasing number of mammals. On Wednesday, the WHO also issued a warning that the recent surge in bird flu outbreaks among mammals could facilitate the transmission of the virus to humans. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EU agency urges pet owners to keep cats and dogs indoors amid rising cases of avian influenza

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Wednesday, expressing concerns that the recent surge in bird flu outbreaks among mammals could facilitate the transmission of the virus to humans.

Europe has been grappling with its most severe bird flu outbreak in history since late 2021, while North and South America have also witnessed significant outbreaks, reported AFP.

As a result, tens of millions of poultry worldwide, often infected with the H5N1 strain of the virus that emerged in 1996, have been culled.

<h2>What did the WHO say?</h2>

The WHO emphasised that avian influenza viruses primarily spread among birds.

However, the increasing number of H5N1 avian influenza cases detected in mammals, which are biologically more closely related to humans than birds, raises concerns that the virus could adapt to infect humans more easily.

Additionally, certain mammals can serve as mixing vessels for influenza viruses, potentially leading to the emergence of new and more harmful strains that affect animals and humans alike.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/birds-have-inbuilt-gps-in-their-brains-which-they-turn-on-and-off-reveals-study-604464">Birds have inbuilt GPS in their brains which they turn on and off, reveals study</a>

<h2>Consequences of the outbreak</h2>

The ongoing bird flu outbreaks have caused devastating consequences for animals, including poultry, wild birds, and some mammals.

These outbreaks have not only harmed farmers' livelihoods and the food trade but also pose continued risks to humans, as stated by the UN health agency.

The WHO, along with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), urged countries to collaborate in order to safeguard animals and protect human populations.

Gregorio Torres, WOAH's science chief, who spoke to AFP, highlighted the recent shift in the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza, which has raised global concerns due to its spread into new geographical regions, unusual wild bird die-offs, and a significant increase in mammalian cases.

Also watch |&nbsp;Chilean Dolphins face threats from avian flu &amp; human activity

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While human bird flu cases typically result from direct or indirect exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments, the virus does not easily transmit from person to person.

However, the WHO's pandemic preparedness chief, Sylvie Briand, emphasised the importance of vigilance in identifying any potential evolution of the virus that could enhance human transmission.

Countries were urged to enhance their monitoring capabilities, particularly those with limited prior experience in avian flu surveillance.

In light of these developments, it is crucial to remain alert and proactive in monitoring the virus, anticipating potential changes that could pose greater risks to human health, and strengthening international collaboration in addressing this ongoing threat.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Wednesday, expressing concerns that the recent surge in bird flu outbreaks among mammals could facilitate the transmission of the virus to humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Wednesday, expressing concerns that the recent surge in bird flu outbreaks among mammals could facilitate the transmission of the virus to humans. Europe has been grappling with its most severe bird flu outbreak in history since late 2021, while North and South America have also witnessed significant outbreaks, reported AFP. As a result, tens of millions of poultry worldwide, often infected with the H5N1 strain of the virus that emerged in 1996, have been culled. What did the WHO say? The WHO emphasised that avian influenza viruses primarily spread among birds. However, the increasing number of H5N1 avian influenza cases detected in mammals, which are biologically more closely related to humans than birds, raises concerns that the virus could adapt to infect humans more easily. Additionally, certain mammals can serve as mixing vessels for influenza viruses, potentially leading to the emergence of new and more harmful strains that affect animals and humans alike. Also read | Birds have inbuilt GPS in their brains which they turn on and off, reveals study Consequences of the outbreak The ongoing bird flu outbreaks have caused devastating consequences for animals, including poultry, wild birds, and some mammals. These outbreaks have not only harmed farmers' livelihoods and the food trade but also pose continued risks to humans, as stated by the UN health agency. The WHO, along with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), urged countries to collaborate in order to safeguard animals and protect human populations. Gregorio Torres, WOAH's science chief, who spoke to AFP, highlighted the recent shift in the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza, which has raised global concerns due to its spread into new geographical regions, unusual wild bird die-offs, and a significant increase in mammalian cases. Also watch | Chilean Dolphins face threats from avian flu & human activity While human bird flu cases typically result from direct or indirect exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments, the virus does not easily transmit from person to person. However, the WHO's pandemic preparedness chief, Sylvie Briand, emphasised the importance of vigilance in identifying any potential evolution of the virus that could enhance human transmission. Countries were urged to enhance their monitoring capabilities, particularly those with limited prior experience in avian flu surveillance. In light of these developments, it is crucial to remain alert and proactive in monitoring the virus, anticipating potential changes that could pose greater risks to human health, and strengthening international collaboration in addressing this ongoing threat. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Alarming warning from WHO: Bird flu poses increased risk of adapting to humans

Bird flu, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, has caused significant damage to poultry production worldwide, resulting in the culling of over 200 million birds in the last 18 months.&nbsp;In Chile, the disease, as per AFP, has killed close to 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters and small cetaceans. France, which has also been severely affected by the disease, has now announced its intention to launch a vaccination programme against bird flu in the autumn following successful tests on ducks, according to the farm ministry.&nbsp;

<h2>France's vaccination for ducks</h2>

Among the European Union countries, France has been the most severely affected, experiencing a notable resurgence of outbreaks in the southwestern part of the country since the beginning of the month, primarily among ducks.&nbsp;

Reuters reports that in anticipation of this situation, France had previously placed an order for 80 million vaccines, contingent upon the confirmation of their effectiveness through final tests conducted by the French health safety agency ANSES.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-explains-smile-rancher-makes-people-cry-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-latest-ponzi-scheme-596879">WION Explains | 'Smile Rancher' makes people cry. All you need to know about the latest ponzi scheme</a>

On its website, the French farm ministry wrote, "These favourable results provided sufficient guarantees to launch a vaccination campaign as early as autumn 2023."

<h2>Is the vaccination effective?</h2>

The conclusions drawn from the tests indicated that the vaccinated mule ducks exhibited effective control of virus transmission, differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals — referred to as the DIVA principle — and a decrease in virus excretion among vaccinated birds.&nbsp;

<h2>Vaccination and governments</h2>

Governments have historically been cautious about using vaccines due to potential trade restrictions. However, in light of the severity of the bird flu outbreak and its implications for public health, many governments have increasingly considered vaccinations as a means to control the virus's spread and prevent human transmission.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/animal-health-body-calls-for-vaccine-for-birds-against-bird-flu-amid-pandemic-concerns-594771">Animal health body calls for vaccine for birds against avian flu amid pandemic concerns</a>

Preliminary results from the Netherlands have also shown the tested vaccines to be efficient.

<h2>Situation in Chile</h2>

Chile's fisheries service, as per AFP, has reported that an avian flu outbreak along the country's north coast has led to the deaths of nearly 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters, and small cetaceans. The outbreak, which began in 2023, has resulted in the deaths of over 7,600 sea lions, 1,186 Humboldt penguins — an endangered species exclusive to Chile and Peru — as well as various otters, porpoises, and dolphins.

The disease has affected 12 out of Chile's 16 regions, prompting the activation of "surveillance protocols" along the coast. Measures include the burial of affected animals to prevent further spread of the virus.

<h2>Bird flu around the word</h2>

Since late 2021, the world has been grappling with one of the most severe avian influenza outbreaks on record. The outbreak has resulted in the culling of tens of millions of poultry, widespread die-offs of wild birds, and an increasing number of infections among mammals in multiple countries.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Bird flu: Brazil declares animal health emergency after several cases found

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<h2>Bird flu in humans</h2>

In Cambodia, an 11-year-old girl fell ill in mid-February and tragically succumbed to the H5N1 bird flu virus, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. While her father also tested positive, health authorities in Cambodia ruled out human-to-human transmission. Instances of bird flu crossing over into mammals are rare, and human infections are even rarer. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment for the disease, which tends to be fatal in both wild and domesticated birds.

In March, Chile reported its first case of human infection in a 53-year-old man. Other countries in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru, have also reported cases, with hundreds of sea lion deaths reported in some regions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Bird flu, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, has caused significant damage to poultry production worldwide, resulting in the culling of over 200 million birds in the last 18 months.

Bird flu, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, has caused significant damage to poultry production worldwide, resulting in the culling of over 200 million birds in the last 18 months. In Chile, the disease, as per AFP, has killed close to 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters and small cetaceans. France, which has also been severely affected by the disease, has now announced its intention to launch a vaccination programme against bird flu in the autumn following successful tests on ducks, according to the farm ministry. France's vaccination for ducks Among the European Union countries, France has been the most severely affected, experiencing a notable resurgence of outbreaks in the southwestern part of the country since the beginning of the month, primarily among ducks. Reuters reports that in anticipation of this situation, France had previously placed an order for 80 million vaccines, contingent upon the confirmation of their effectiveness through final tests conducted by the French health safety agency ANSES. Also read | WION Explains | 'Smile Rancher' makes people cry. All you need to know about the latest ponzi scheme On its website, the French farm ministry wrote, "These favourable results provided sufficient guarantees to launch a vaccination campaign as early as autumn 2023." Is the vaccination effective? The conclusions drawn from the tests indicated that the vaccinated mule ducks exhibited effective control of virus transmission, differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals — referred to as the DIVA principle — and a decrease in virus excretion among vaccinated birds. Vaccination and governments Governments have historically been cautious about using vaccines due to potential trade restrictions. However, in light of the severity of the bird flu outbreak and its implications for public health, many governments have increasingly considered vaccinations as a means to control the virus's spread and prevent human transmission. Also read | Animal health body calls for vaccine for birds against avian flu amid pandemic concerns Preliminary results from the Netherlands have also shown the tested vaccines to be efficient. Situation in Chile Chile's fisheries service, as per AFP, has reported that an avian flu outbreak along the country's north coast has led to the deaths of nearly 9,000 sea lions, penguins, otters, and small cetaceans. The outbreak, which began in 2023, has resulted in the deaths of over 7,600 sea lions, 1,186 Humboldt penguins — an endangered species exclusive to Chile and Peru — as well as various otters, porpoises, and dolphins. The disease has affected 12 out of Chile's 16 regions, prompting the activation of "surveillance protocols" along the coast. Measures include the burial of affected animals to prevent further spread of the virus. Bird flu around the word Since late 2021, the world has been grappling with one of the most severe avian influenza outbreaks on record. The outbreak has resulted in the culling of tens of millions of poultry, widespread die-offs of wild birds, and an increasing number of infections among mammals in multiple countries. Watch | Bird flu: Brazil declares animal health emergency after several cases found Bird flu in humans In Cambodia, an 11-year-old girl fell ill in mid-February and tragically succumbed to the H5N1 bird flu virus, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. While her father also tested positive, health authorities in Cambodia ruled out human-to-human transmission. Instances of bird flu crossing over into mammals are rare, and human infections are even rarer. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment for the disease, which tends to be fatal in both wild and domesticated birds. In March, Chile reported its first case of human infection in a 53-year-old man. Other countries in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru, have also reported cases, with hundreds of sea lion deaths reported in some regions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bird flu ‘fowls’ the mood, kills nearly 9,000 marine creatures in Chile, France starts vaccination

The head of the World Organisation&nbsp;for&nbsp;Animal Health&nbsp;(WOAH), on Sunday (May 21) said governments worldwide should consider vaccinating birds against bird flu or avian influenza to stop it from becoming another pandemic. This comes as the disease has already killed hundreds of millions of birds worldwide and even infected some humans.&nbsp;

<h2>Head of WOAH&nbsp;raises concerns about bird flu&nbsp;</h2>

In an interview with news agency Reuters, WOAH Director General Monique Eloit said “We are coming out of a COVID crisis where every country realised the hypothesis of a pandemic was real.”&nbsp;

The interview also comes ahead of a five-day general session which will begin on Sunday where WOAH will hold talks focusing on global control of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI.&nbsp;

“Since almost every country that does international trade has now been infected, maybe it's time to discuss vaccination, in addition to systematic culling which remains the main tool (to control the disease),” Eloit told Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>France to begin vaccinations</h2>

The country where the WOAH is based, France, will be the first one to start vaccinating ducks this autumn. Last year, the European Union’s 27 member states agreed to implement a bird flu vaccination strategy.&nbsp;

Eloit told Reuters how if a bloc like the EU, which remains a large exporter, moves in that direction, “it will have a ricochet impact”.&nbsp;

Notably, only 25 per cent of member states that are a part of the WOAH will accept imports of products from poultry vaccinated against avian influenza, reported Reuters citing a survey done by the animal health body.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) told the news agency on Friday that the “USDA continues to research vaccine options that can protect poultry from this persistent threat.”&nbsp;

However, the agriculture department continues to consider biosecurity measures to be the most effective tool for mitigating the virus in commercial flocks, the USDA told Reuters. 
 
Meanwhile, Eloit said vaccination should focus on free-range poultry, mainly ducks since bird flu is transmitted by infected migrating wild birds, reported Reuters, adding that vaccinating broilers, which account for nearly 60 per cent of global poultry output, makes less sense.&nbsp;

<h2>A new pandemic in the making?</h2>

Earlier this year, World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about how the spread of H5N1 influenza needs to be monitored. He also said that while the virus has spread among poultry and wild birds for over two decades now, recent reports of infections in mammals like mink, otters and sea lions “need to be monitored closely”.&nbsp;

Tedros noted that while the risk of H5N1 influenza infecting humans remains low and has been rare since the strain first emerged nearly 30 years ago, countries must prepare for any change in the status quo.&nbsp;

Last week, two poultry workers in England tested positive for bird flu, reported the United Kingdom Health and Security Agency, but found no signs of human-to-human transmission. They also said neither of them had shown any symptoms of the infection and were found positive during a screening.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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The head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), on Sunday (May 21) said governments worldwide should consider vaccinating birds against bird flu or avian influenza to stop it from becoming another pandemic.

The head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), on Sunday (May 21) said governments worldwide should consider vaccinating birds against bird flu or avian influenza to stop it from becoming another pandemic. This comes as the disease has already killed hundreds of millions of birds worldwide and even infected some humans. Head of WOAH raises concerns about bird flu In an interview with news agency Reuters, WOAH Director General Monique Eloit said “We are coming out of a COVID crisis where every country realised the hypothesis of a pandemic was real.” The interview also comes ahead of a five-day general session which will begin on Sunday where WOAH will hold talks focusing on global control of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. “Since almost every country that does international trade has now been infected, maybe it's time to discuss vaccination, in addition to systematic culling which remains the main tool (to control the disease),” Eloit told Reuters. France to begin vaccinations The country where the WOAH is based, France, will be the first one to start vaccinating ducks this autumn. Last year, the European Union’s 27 member states agreed to implement a bird flu vaccination strategy. Eloit told Reuters how if a bloc like the EU, which remains a large exporter, moves in that direction, “it will have a ricochet impact”. Notably, only 25 per cent of member states that are a part of the WOAH will accept imports of products from poultry vaccinated against avian influenza, reported Reuters citing a survey done by the animal health body. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) told the news agency on Friday that the “USDA continues to research vaccine options that can protect poultry from this persistent threat.” However, the agriculture department continues to consider biosecurity measures to be the most effective tool for mitigating the virus in commercial flocks, the USDA told Reuters. Meanwhile, Eloit said vaccination should focus on free-range poultry, mainly ducks since bird flu is transmitted by infected migrating wild birds, reported Reuters, adding that vaccinating broilers, which account for nearly 60 per cent of global poultry output, makes less sense. A new pandemic in the making? Earlier this year, World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about how the spread of H5N1 influenza needs to be monitored. He also said that while the virus has spread among poultry and wild birds for over two decades now, recent reports of infections in mammals like mink, otters and sea lions “need to be monitored closely”. Tedros noted that while the risk of H5N1 influenza infecting humans remains low and has been rare since the strain first emerged nearly 30 years ago, countries must prepare for any change in the status quo. Last week, two poultry workers in England tested positive for bird flu, reported the United Kingdom Health and Security Agency, but found no signs of human-to-human transmission. They also said neither of them had shown any symptoms of the infection and were found positive during a screening. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Animal health body calls for vaccine for birds against avian flu amid pandemic concerns

As Japan battles the worst bird flu ever, the country has been forced to replace eggs with other available items on the food menu.

The country is battling avian influenza's worst outbreak which has led to the culling of millions of chickens and eventually a huge shortage of eggs, soaring prices of egg-based dishes. Long story short, eggs have become a luxury food item on Japan's menu.

The shortage of eggs is a huge problem as they are a staple in Japanese cuisine, varying from egg rolls to omurice as well as soft-boiled yolks on ramen.

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is an infectious disease which spread from wild birds and poultry. The flu has been present in the world from around for a century.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-population-crisis-nation-faces-candidate-shortage-for-local-elections-580636">Japan population crisis: Nation faces shortage of candidates for local elections</a>

However, the world is seeing its worst-ever outbreak due to mutations in the virus, claim scientists.

Amongst various countries, Japan has been the worst hit. The country was forced to cull around 17 million chickens, which can also be summarised as nine per cent of egg-laying hens.

In the past year, there has been a 70 per cent increase in the prices of wholesale eggs, as the data shared by a local egg seller.

One kilo of medium-size eggs costs around ¥350 ($2.62), stated JA. Z-Tamago, which is a unit of the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations.

The steep increase in price has left consumers shocked and has forced restaurants to strike egg-based dishes off the menus.

Last month, McDonald's outlet in Japan had to warn diners it may suspend the sale of popular Teritama burgers during peak periods. Teritama is a portmanteau made from teriyaki sauce and tamago or eggs in Japanese.

WATCH | North Korea FIRES ballistic missile into seas between Japan and South Korea

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Even though McDonald's had diversified its egg sources so that its regular offerings are not impacted, it was "watching the situation carefully", said spokesperson Jonathan Kushner.

The problem is that the supply of eggs is unstable in the country. "It is hard to predict what the situations will be like in the summer and the fall," he stated.

The 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan have also suspended the sale of around 15 items from February. In addition, the recipes of salads and sandwiches have been tweaked by stores around the country, to cut down the use of eggs.

Consumers have also been forced to spend more on egg-based products. Food company Kewpie, which is famous for its mayonnaise made from egg yolks, has increased its prices by around 21 per cent this month.

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As Japan battles the worst bird flu ever, the country has been forced to replace eggs with other available items on the food menu. The country is battling avian influenza's worst outbreak which has led to the culling of millions of chickens and eventually a huge shortage of eggs, soaring prices of egg-based dishes.

As Japan battles the worst bird flu ever, the country has been forced to replace eggs with other available items on the food menu. The country is battling avian influenza's worst outbreak which has led to the culling of millions of chickens and eventually a huge shortage of eggs, soaring prices of egg-based dishes. Long story short, eggs have become a luxury food item on Japan's menu. The shortage of eggs is a huge problem as they are a staple in Japanese cuisine, varying from egg rolls to omurice as well as soft-boiled yolks on ramen. Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is an infectious disease which spread from wild birds and poultry. The flu has been present in the world from around for a century. ALSO READ | Japan population crisis: Nation faces shortage of candidates for local elections However, the world is seeing its worst-ever outbreak due to mutations in the virus, claim scientists. Amongst various countries, Japan has been the worst hit. The country was forced to cull around 17 million chickens, which can also be summarised as nine per cent of egg-laying hens. In the past year, there has been a 70 per cent increase in the prices of wholesale eggs, as the data shared by a local egg seller. One kilo of medium-size eggs costs around ¥350 ($2.62), stated JA. Z-Tamago, which is a unit of the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations. The steep increase in price has left consumers shocked and has forced restaurants to strike egg-based dishes off the menus. Last month, McDonald's outlet in Japan had to warn diners it may suspend the sale of popular Teritama burgers during peak periods. Teritama is a portmanteau made from teriyaki sauce and tamago or eggs in Japanese. WATCH | North Korea FIRES ballistic missile into seas between Japan and South Korea Even though McDonald's had diversified its egg sources so that its regular offerings are not impacted, it was "watching the situation carefully", said spokesperson Jonathan Kushner. The problem is that the supply of eggs is unstable in the country. "It is hard to predict what the situations will be like in the summer and the fall," he stated. The 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan have also suspended the sale of around 15 items from February. In addition, the recipes of salads and sandwiches have been tweaked by stores around the country, to cut down the use of eggs. Consumers have also been forced to spend more on egg-based products. Food company Kewpie, which is famous for its mayonnaise made from egg yolks, has increased its prices by around 21 per cent this month. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

An omelette made from fish? No eggs on menu as Japan fights bird flu crisis

A Chinese woman has become the first person to die from a type of bird flu that is rare in humans, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, but the strain does not appear to spread between people. Watch this to know everything about this virus.

H3N8 bird flu: Everything you need to know about the virus

China has reported the first human death from the H3N8 bird flu. The deceased was a 56-year-old woman from the Guangdong province. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: China reports first human death from H3N8 influenza

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