Bird flu outbreaks in animals pose risk to humans: UN

Ongoing outbreaks of bird flu have caused devastation to animal populations, and may now infect humans more easily, according to a joint release on Wednesday by three United Nations (UN) organizations.

According to World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), in 2022 the organization received reports of outbreaks of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry and wild birds from 67 countries on five continents, with more than 131 million domestic poultry lost due to death or culling in affected farms and villages.

In 2023, another 14 countries have reported outbreaks, mainly in the Americas, as the disease continues to spread. Several mass death events have been reported in wild birds, caused by influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses.In their situation analysis and advice on the outbreaks of avian influenza, United Nations (UN) organizations urged countries to work together across sectors to save as many animals as possible, and to protect people.