In an update on the mutation of the virus, known as H5N1, Dr Madhur Dhingra of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said it had “spread to wildlife”.
More than 500 species of birds have been infected along with at least 70 species of mammals, including the endangered California condor and polar bears.
In regions that rely heavily on poultry as a primary source of protein, the FAO doctor insisted that avian flu “represents a serious threat to food and nutritional security.”
Economic damage
Dr Dhingra warned that the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people have been affected by the virus, an economic burden on farmers that could prevent them from investing in adequate biosecurity measures.
Following the emergence of the H5N1 flu virus in dairy cattle, WHO has joined calls to strengthen surveillance and biosecurity on farms to keep animals and people safe.
The UN health agency said that in 2024, 76 people were infected with the H5 avian influenza strain, and most were agricultural workers. More than 60 cases originated in the United States, which has also reported outbreaks of H5 in wildlife and poultry and, more recently, in dairy cattle.
Cases have also been reported in Australia, Canada, China, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Low risk to humans – for now
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, who currently serves as Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management at WHO, said that based on the latest scientific advances, “we assess that the risk of infection to the public (you and me) is currently low”.
But if you work on a farm, he warned, and are exposed to infected animals, “we assess the current risk to public health to be low to moderate,” depending on the level of personal protection adopted.
So far there is no evidence that H5N1 viruses have adapted to spread between people and no cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported.
There is no room for complacency
“We must remember, however, that this can change quickly,” the UN pandemic expert added, “as the virus is evolving and we must be prepared for such a scenario.”
Therefore, every case that occurs in humans must be thoroughly investigated.
Dr. Van Kerkhove also highlighted the importance of drinking pasteurized milk and, if it is not available, heating it before consuming it.
“We want to reiterate the critical importance of using the One Health approach in all sectors (global, national and subnational levels) to effectively address avian influenza and minimize the risk to animals and humans,” he concluded.
