WHO Urges Stronger Animal Surveillance to Combat Spread of H5N1 Bird Flu
Source: DairyNews.today
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for enhanced global surveillance of H5N1 avian influenza in animals to prevent its spread and reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other species, a senior official said on Thursday.
"We urgently need stronger surveillance in wild birds, poultry, and other animals susceptible to infection, both in the U.S. and globally," WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said during an online press briefing.
Collaborative Efforts with Global Agencies
The WHO is working closely with partner organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization, to expand monitoring efforts. The push follows a report last month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirming H5N1 in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon.
Pigs are a particular concern for avian influenza because they can be co-infected with both bird and human flu viruses, potentially allowing the viruses to exchange genetic material and create a strain more capable of infecting humans.
"For the WHO, readiness for influenza is constant—it's not a matter of if, but when," Kerkhove added. She emphasized that while the global risk to the general population remains low, vigilance is crucial.
Human Cases and Transmission Risk
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 55 human cases of H5N1 avian influenza this year, including one in a child. Most cases have occurred among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or livestock.
There has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission, according to the CDC, but farm workers, particularly those handling poultry or dairy animals, remain at higher risk.
WHO's Call to Action
Kerkhove underscored the importance of global coordination to prevent H5N1 from spreading to new species or evolving into a strain with greater pandemic potential.
"Robust animal surveillance is our first line of defense against the emergence of a more dangerous virus," she said.
The WHO's intensified focus on H5N1 comes as part of its broader influenza preparedness strategy, aiming to mitigate the risk of future pandemics.
Collaborative Efforts with Global Agencies
The WHO is working closely with partner organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization, to expand monitoring efforts. The push follows a report last month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirming H5N1 in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon.
Pigs are a particular concern for avian influenza because they can be co-infected with both bird and human flu viruses, potentially allowing the viruses to exchange genetic material and create a strain more capable of infecting humans.
"For the WHO, readiness for influenza is constant—it's not a matter of if, but when," Kerkhove added. She emphasized that while the global risk to the general population remains low, vigilance is crucial.
Human Cases and Transmission Risk
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 55 human cases of H5N1 avian influenza this year, including one in a child. Most cases have occurred among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or livestock.
There has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission, according to the CDC, but farm workers, particularly those handling poultry or dairy animals, remain at higher risk.
WHO's Call to Action
Kerkhove underscored the importance of global coordination to prevent H5N1 from spreading to new species or evolving into a strain with greater pandemic potential.
"Robust animal surveillance is our first line of defense against the emergence of a more dangerous virus," she said.
The WHO's intensified focus on H5N1 comes as part of its broader influenza preparedness strategy, aiming to mitigate the risk of future pandemics.
