New outbreaks of bird flu in wild and domestic birds were reported in Europe and around the world between September and December 2024.
That was the main finding of a review from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL).
While the overall number of bird flu cases in Europe remains lower compared to previous years, the last quarter of 2024 has seen a worrying increase in infections among both wild and domestic birds.
The outbreaks have been concentrated in southern and central Europe. The EU officials linked the intensification of the disease to the high density of farms and specific poultry production practices, which facilitate the virus’s spread from farm to farm.
Virus is crossing species barriers
Avian influenza has caused the deaths of more than 300 million birds worldwide and the virus “is increasingly crossing species barriers," according to UN health officers.
The report from the three EU organizations outlined how the A(H5N5) virus, a subtype of the avian influenza virus which causes mass mortality in wild birds, has significantly expanded its geographical and species range, spreading widely in different regions and wild bird species. However, no new cases have been reported in mammals.
US sees increase in cases among cattle
“The US is seeing a significant surge in cases among cattle, with more than 800 establishments affected in 16 states. Most of the cases are reported in California where the virus was also recently found in two batches of raw milk sold in retail shops.
“Additionally, A (H5N1) virus strain, which is different from the one affecting cattle, was detected for the first time in pigs in Oregon in a mixed livestock-poultry farm. This is of concern given the potential for pigs to be co-infected by different types of influenza viruses that could adapt and spread to other species,” reported the EU officials.
Food security threat
According to Dr Madhur Dhingra from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 500 bird species and at least 70 mammalian species, including endangered species like the California condor and polar bears, have been infected by the virus.
In regions where poultry is a primary protein source, Dr Dhingra stressed that avian influenza poses a serious threat to food and nutrition security.
The economic impact of these outbreaks is profound, with farmers’ livelihoods at risk. The FAO warns that the ongoing crisis may hinder farmers’ ability to invest in critical biosafety measures, exacerbating the problem and leading to further spread of the disease.
Vaccination programs
A vaccination campaign targeting ducks succeeded in greatly reducing outbreaks of the virus on poultry farms in France.
Calls for strengthened surveillance
Dr Dhingra also highlighted that hundreds of millions of people are seeing their livelihoods directly affected by the virus, particularly in regions that depend heavily on poultry farming.
The economic damage could prevent farmers from investing in necessary biosecurity infrastructure, making it even more difficult to control the outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined calls for strengthened surveillance and biosecurity measures, particularly considering new concerns over the virus’s spread to dairy cattle.
It is urging more robust monitoring to protect both animals and people. Furthermore, the WHO reports that in 2024, 76 people were infected with the H5 strain of avian influenza, with most cases linked to farm workers.
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Risk to humans is low
While the WHO has reassured the public that the risk of human-to-human transmission remains low, the virus’s potential to adapt is a growing concern. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, director of epidemic and pandemic threat management for the WHO, emphasized that, “based on the latest science, the risk of infection for the public is currently low.”
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However, for those working on farms or in close contact with infected animals, the risk is considered low-to-moderate, depending on the level of personal protective measures taken.
Dr Van Kerkhove cautioned that the situation could change rapidly as the virus continues to evolve. There has been no evidence yet of human-to-human transmission, but every case in humans must be thoroughly investigated.
