FAO Calls for More Efforts to Combat Avian Flu as Cases Rise Worldwide

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued an urgent call for regional efforts to combat the rising threat of avian influenza, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. This plea comes as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), specifically the H5N1 strain, continues to spread globally, affecting a wide range of species including poultry, dairy cows, and various domestic animals. The FAO’s call to action underscores the critical need for immediate and coordinated responses to curb the virus’s spread and mitigate its impact on both animal and human health.

In recent months, the United States has reported instances of the H5N1 variant infecting dairy herds and farm workers, highlighting the virus’s ability to cross species barriers. Since late 2023, there have been 13 human cases of H5N1 reported in the Asia-Pacific region, with Cambodia alone accounting for six cases this year. This uptick in human infections signals a worrying trend and emphasizes the urgency of addressing the virus’s spread. Another variant, clade 2.3.4.4b, is also circulating in the region, further complicating efforts to control the outbreak.

All reported human cases have been linked to direct contact with infected poultry or wild birds, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission observed so far. However, the potential for such transmission remains a significant concern. The FAO’s Asia-Pacific regional laboratory coordinator has stressed the need for urgent action, focusing on strengthening diagnostic capacities, enhancing data sharing, and implementing stringent biosecurity and biosafety measures on farms. These steps are crucial in preventing the virus from spreading within poultry populations, which could lead to severe economic losses and potential spillover to other species.

Avian influenza has not been confined to the Asia-Pacific region alone. The virus has also been detected in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, affecting various species and raising alarms about its global reach. Human cases have been reported in several countries, with more than half resulting in fatalities. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) currently assesses the risk to the public as low, the emergence of new strains increases the threat of a potential pandemic. The FAO calls for strengthened surveillance systems and immediate action to address the surge in bird flu cases, emphasizing the need for collaboration and preparedness across all sectors.

In Southeast Asia, countries are urged to invest in diagnostic infrastructure and training for laboratory personnel to enhance their ability to detect and respond to outbreaks. Collaboration between governments, international organizations, and the private sector is essential in creating effective containment strategies. The FAO emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among health providers and the public regarding the risks of human infection from sick and dead poultry. This public awareness is a critical component in mitigating the spread of the virus and ensuring timely treatment for those affected.

Australia, in particular, faces significant biosecurity challenges as spring approaches. Changing wild bird migration patterns due to climate change have increased the risk of avian influenza outbreaks. Authorities are urging residents to report sick animals promptly to prevent the virus from spreading. Northern Australia, with its diverse terrain spanning three territories, presents a uniform threat. Economic growth and climate change are altering how people and animals move, bringing new pests and diseases. The fear is that activity in the north could lead to an outbreak in the south, necessitating vigilant monitoring and rapid response measures.

Veterinarian Regan Lynch has studied ways to improve biosecurity in the beef industry, finding that climate change significantly impacts wild animal movements. Changes in migration patterns and insect populations due to climate change are contributing factors. Southern states in Australia are already battling outbreaks of avian influenza, with the potential for the virus to spread further through migrating birds. The acting chief veterinary officer for Australia has noted that loss of habitat and urbanization also play roles in altering bird migration and disease spread. Monitoring wild bird populations is crucial, albeit challenging work that requires sustained effort and resources.

The federal government’s Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy has been surveilling the border for 30 years, working to prevent pests, diseases, and weeds from entering the country. This strategy encourages the reporting of signs of disease and plays a critical role in maintaining Australia’s biosecurity. Feral pigs, identified as significant threats, can transmit diseases to livestock and humans. Managing feral pig populations is necessary to control their potential as amplifying hosts for disease transmission. Human and animal diseases, such as Japanese encephalitis virus, can spread rapidly through feral pigs, underscoring the need for strict biosecurity controls.

Maintaining high biosecurity standards on farms and raising awareness of disease signs in wildlife are essential for preserving Australia’s disease-free status. Signs of disease in animals, such as lameness, sudden death, skin lesions, and excessive salivation, should be promptly reported to the emergency animal disease hotline. Unwell animals, including birds, feral pigs, and livestock, must be monitored closely to prevent outbreaks. The Australian government has a stockpile of vaccines and medication in case of human infections and continuously updates guidelines for managing outbreaks, demonstrating a proactive approach to biosecurity.

South America’s southeastern and western coastlines have also been impacted by avian influenza, with large populations of sea lions affected. In 2023, scientists discovered that at least 24,000 sea lions had died due to a new strain of avian influenza, specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) lineage 2. This strain has caused outbreaks in wild bird populations and has jumped to mammals, including foxes and polar bears. The virus’s spread to South America and Antarctica for the first time indicates its high transmissibility among wild birds and its ability to affect a wider range of mammals.

In Australia, another strain of avian influenza (H7) has caused outbreaks in poultry farms but does not pose a threat to native birds, mammals, or humans. The rise of free-range poultry farming may have contributed to the spread of H7. The response to this outbreak has involved quarantine, culling, and testing, and the situation is currently under control. However, the arrival of H5N1 in Australia remains a major concern for scientists and authorities. The virus is most likely to be brought by infected migratory birds from Asia, although factors such as the bird’s health during migration may decrease the likelihood.

Australia is preparing for the possible arrival of H5N1 through enhanced surveillance and public reporting of sick or dead birds. Biosecurity measures will be crucial in containing the virus’s spread. While there is an animal vaccine available, it has only been used on endangered species, and vaccinating wild birds poses significant challenges. The virus has caused mild symptoms in cows and humans, with cases reported in both populations. Authorities are working to protect the penguin population on Phillip Island from the virus, which could reach the island through migrating short-tailed shearwaters.

The FAO warns of a potential pandemic in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing the need for urgent action to address the recent increase in human infections with avian influenza. The agency calls for a united response and cooperation between various sectors, emphasizing the importance of strengthening biosecurity measures and implementing effective vaccination strategies in the regional poultry sector. Raising awareness among health providers and the public about the risks of human infection from sick and dead poultry is crucial. The FAO is working with member nations and partners in Asia and the Pacific to enhance one health and animal health capacity, aiming to improve prevention, identification, and response to health hazards at the interface between humans, animals, and the environment.