Food and agriculture experts from the United Nations have raised concerns over the escalating bird flu crisis, with widespread poultry infections and growing risks to both humans and animals worldwide. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a call for enhanced monitoring, improved biosecurity, and stronger outbreak control measures to combat the avian influenza virus H5N1, which continues to spread.
At a recent briefing in Rome, FAO officials informed member countries of the growing risks associated with the virus, which has been circulating widely in wild bird populations globally in recent years. However, the virus’ increasing transmission to mammals—including a significant outbreak among dairy cattle in the United States—has escalated concerns.
“Avian influenza is causing significant disruptions to food security, with impacts including the loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs, and income, as well as severe economic shocks. This, in turn, is driving up consumer prices,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi.
Since 2021, over 300 wild bird species have been affected by the virus, according to the FAO. The organization also stressed the importance of bolstering disease surveillance and biosecurity practices. Additionally, the FAO urged governments to explore the potential role of vaccination to mitigate the risks posed by the outbreak.
A Global Concern Beyond Poultry
While poultry has borne the brunt of infections, the virus has also been detected in zoo animals, cats, and other wildlife across multiple continents. In addition, human cases of bird flu have been reported. The United States, for example, confirmed its first human death from H5N1 in January, with 69 other cases of infection.
In the United Kingdom, a person contracted a different strain of the virus in January after exposure to infected birds on a farm. While European health authorities maintain that the risk to the general public remains low due to the lack of sustained human-to-human transmission, scientists have identified 34 genetic mutations that could enable H5N1 to evolve and spread more easily among humans.
In response to the evolving situation, the UK government announced in December that it is stockpiling five million bird flu vaccines for potential use should the virus mutate to a point where it could pose a more significant threat to human health and lead to a pandemic.
The Need for Global Cooperation
Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director, emphasized that international collaboration is essential to contain the spread of H5N1 and mitigate its potential impact on both human health and the global food supply. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” Bechdol remarked, highlighting the need for coordinated action among countries to address the bird flu crisis.
As the H5N1 virus continues to affect countries across the globe, the FAO’s call for increased vigilance and stronger preventive measures underscores the urgent need to safeguard both public health and food security in the face of this growing threat.
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