Australia and New Zealand Brace for Bird Flu Threat: A Global Threat
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia and New Zealand Brace for Bird Flu Threat: A Global Threat

The Hindu  

Australia and New Zealand brace for a looming bird flu threat. The region, currently free of the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza, is at risk of its arrival due to its geographic isolation and the migration patterns of birds. The virus has reached Indonesia and Antarctica in recent years, posing a potential threat to the region's ecosystems and agricultural industry. Both countries are taking proactive measures to prepare for the potential outbreak, including tightening biosecurity, testing shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species, and wargaming response plans. While the risk to humans is considered low, the potential impact on native bird populations and the economy is significant.

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Bird flu outbreak hits Britain's turkey farms as tens of thousands are culled and rest ordered to be kept indoors days before Christmas
2 days, 2 hours ago

Bird flu outbreak hits Britain's turkey farms as tens of thousands are culled and rest ordered to be kept indoors days before Christmas

Daily Mail  

Turkey farms have been hit by an outbreak of bird flu as tens of thousands of birds have been culled and ordered to be kept indoors just before Christmas. This is the first outbreak of bird flu in captive animals since February and no humans have yet been infected with the risk of spread to people remaining very low. Avian …

We're Pandemic Experts. Here's What Worries Us Most About Bird Flu.
1 week, 5 days ago

We're Pandemic Experts. Here's What Worries Us Most About Bird Flu.

Huff Post  

Jonathan R. Beckerman via Getty Images Experts are concerned for farm workers who are most likely to get sick from bird flu. you might be able to give the H5N1 virus genes that make it more virulent in people or that make it possible to transmit more easily from person to person, and that’s definitely something we want to prevent.” …

Health Experts Warn of Bird Flu's Pandemic Threat
1 week, 5 days ago

Health Experts Warn of Bird Flu's Pandemic Threat

Deccan Chronicle  

Paris: Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States. The deadly bird flu variant H5N1 first emerged in China in 1996, but over the last four years it has sp More than 300 …

Letters to the Editor: A doctor’s fear that we’re careening toward a bird flu disaster
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Letters to the Editor: A doctor’s fear that we’re careening toward a bird flu disaster

LA Times  

Bird flu outbreaks at dairy farms are sparking fears of a major threat to human health. To the editor: As a retired public health and emergency medicine physician, I want to thank you for your recent articles about the bird flu, most recently those articles by Times reporters Susanne Rust and Melissa Gomez. The combination of a mutating and potentially …

Scientists warn of the increased dangers of a new bird flu strain
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Scientists warn of the increased dangers of a new bird flu strain

NPR  

Scientists warn of the increased dangers of a new bird flu strain The spread of bird flu continues to trouble scientists. His experiments with infected cattle indicated bird flu was primarily spreading through virus-laden milk, not as you'd expect from a typical respiratory virus. STONE: The intervening months have made it painfully clear bird flu has a strong foothold in …

Three mysterious bird flu cases worry experts that another pandemic is looming
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Three mysterious bird flu cases worry experts that another pandemic is looming

Salon  

This month, two independent cases of bird flu were detected in North American children without any known exposure to infected animals, raising concerns that the H5N1 virus that causes it is inching closer to evolving in a way that allows it to spread between humans. Again, if the H5N1 virus develops the ability to efficiently spread between humans, the world …

California becomes epicenter of bird flu crisis as more human cases reported
2 months, 1 week ago

California becomes epicenter of bird flu crisis as more human cases reported

Salon  

Another five suspected cases of bird flu were reported today in California, where six cases have already been confirmed, according to the California Department of Public Health. The state, which is the country’s largest dairy supplier, has become the epicenter of bird flu in cows and has concerned public health experts since the beginning of the outbreak for this reason. …

Federal government announces $95m preparedness fund in case of deadly H5N1 bird flu arriving in Australia
2 months, 1 week ago

Federal government announces $95m preparedness fund in case of deadly H5N1 bird flu arriving in Australia

ABC  

The looming arrival of a deadly strain of bird flu in Australia has prompted the federal government to set up a $95 million preparation fund as part of a swathe of biosecurity and environmental measures. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the H5N1 strain of avian influenza "presents a real and significant threat to Australia's agriculture sector". Why scientists fear havoc …

As California bird flu outbreak worsens, a Missouri patient who caught it is alarming experts
2 months, 1 week ago

As California bird flu outbreak worsens, a Missouri patient who caught it is alarming experts

Salon  

The H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu, has created an enduring crisis this year, massacring millions of birds and other wild animals, while stirring outbreaks in dairy farms across the U.S. As the number of confirmed bird flu cases continues to climb in various states across the country, many public health experts are anxiously awaiting results from testing performed …

Australia's bird flu outbreak has claimed the lives of 2 million chickens, but experts fear the worst is yet to come
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia's bird flu outbreak has claimed the lives of 2 million chickens, but experts fear the worst is yet to come

ABC  

In the small country town of Meredith, about 70 kilometres west of Melbourne, a lone dead tree stands in the centre of a paddock, looming over two long red furrows clawed into the ground. He's just spent most of this year trying to lead Victoria's response to avian influenza outbreaks, and says the state is "finally on the home stretch". …

Victoria's bird flu outbreak engaged thousands of animal disease fighters after years of wargaming
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Victoria's bird flu outbreak engaged thousands of animal disease fighters after years of wargaming

ABC  

It has been over 100 days since Victoria's largest outbreak of bird flu began and there are positive signs for the industry as farms begin to recover from the fallout. "It's been interesting seeing the outbreak and trying to provide that quick turnaround time of diagnostics to support the response, and farmers, in understanding what's going on here," he said. …

Smart Traveller website issues bird flu warning to Aussies heading overseas
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Smart Traveller website issues bird flu warning to Aussies heading overseas

Daily Mail  

The Australian government has issued a warning to travellers over bird flu outbreak concerns. Strains of Avian influenza, known as the bird flu, are circulating across the globe, with government website Smart Traveller warning of outbreaks in Europe, North and South America and Asia. The virus typically affects birds but can also infect animals, which can then lead to the …

Australian biosecurity fears rise as spring looms, residents urged to report sick animals
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Australian biosecurity fears rise as spring looms, residents urged to report sick animals

ABC  

With its red dirt deserts to rainforests and rugged coastlines, the terrain of northern Australia is vast and varied but presents a uniform threat. Distance no barrier As southern states battled outbreaks of the H7 strain of avian influenza, Australia's acting Chief Veterinary Officer Sam Hamilton said loss of habitat and urbanisation also affected bird migration. "These birds regularly migrate …

Bird flu outbreak worries Australia
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Bird flu outbreak worries Australia

China Daily  

With eggs in short supply and avian influenza spreading across Australian farms, the outbreak has the country on edge. "The bird flu situation in Australia is increasingly alarming, particularly due to the threat posed by the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 strain, which has not yet reached the continent," said associate professor Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam, a molecular virologist with the …

The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing
54 years, 11 months ago

The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing

Wired  

Ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza have decimated poultry flocks and wild birds across the United States and worldwide. On July 25, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an additional three human cases, bringing the total number of US cases to 13 since April. “These cases are not entirely surprising given that these people were working with infected …

Australia hit by bird flu outbreak of highly pathogenic strain
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia hit by bird flu outbreak of highly pathogenic strain

China Daily  

FILE PHOTO: A person holds a test tube labelled "Bird Flu", in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. "The bird flu situation in Australia is increasingly alarming, particularly due to the threat posed by the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 strain, which has not yet reached the continent," said associate professor Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam, a molecular virologist with the Jeffrey …

Two more bird flu cases reported in Colorado, but elsewhere a study finds no asymptomatic infections
5 months ago

Two more bird flu cases reported in Colorado, but elsewhere a study finds no asymptomatic infections

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — U.S. health officials on Friday announced two more bird flu cases among farmworkers, but they also said a new study in Michigan suggested the virus is not causing silent infections in people. Last month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched a study of workers who were around cows sickened by the bird flu. It’s …

Australia is aiming to eradicate bird flu. This is how scientists are tracking and tracing the outbreak
5 months, 1 week ago

Australia is aiming to eradicate bird flu. This is how scientists are tracking and tracing the outbreak

ABC  

It's a nerve-wracking wait for answers. "We've had a big upturn in the number of samples coming in for avian influenza testing," veterinary virologist Dr Andrew Read told 7.30. "By comparing the viruses' genetic code, we can see the three strains causing the three outbreaks are not closely related but are more closely related to low pathogenic strains known to …

Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness warns of potential arrival of H5N1 bird flu strain
5 months, 1 week ago

Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness warns of potential arrival of H5N1 bird flu strain

ABC  

Australian disease authorities are looking to the north and south of the country as they prepare for an outbreak of a bird flu strain that has caused a global animal pandemic. Closing in on Australia Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness senior research scientist Frank Wong said northern Australia's remoteness could pose surveillance challenges. Australia was not on the flight paths …

Australia not investing enough to prepare for catastrophic affects of H5N1 variant of bird flu, experts warn
5 months, 1 week ago

Australia not investing enough to prepare for catastrophic affects of H5N1 variant of bird flu, experts warn

ABC  

Australia is not investing enough money to prepare for an outbreak of the strain of bird flu that is causing environmental and agricultural 'catastrophes' overseas, according to virologists, farmers and environmental lobby groups. "If avian influenza gets into Australia it's not just devastating for poultry, but it will be devastating for our native bird populations," Dr Short said. Mr Gough …

Finland is offering farmworkers bird flu shots. Some experts say the US should, too
5 months, 1 week ago

Finland is offering farmworkers bird flu shots. Some experts say the US should, too

Salon  

As bird flu spreads among dairy cattle in the U.S., veterinarians and researchers have taken note of Finland’s move to vaccinate farmworkers at risk of infection. “Farmworkers, veterinarians, and producers are handling large volumes of milk that can contain high levels of bird flu virus,” said Kay Russo, a livestock and poultry veterinarian in Fort Collins, Colorado. There’s no evidence …

Grim reality for businesses left to pick up the pieces after bird flu outbreak
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Grim reality for businesses left to pick up the pieces after bird flu outbreak

ABC  

As Victorian farmers continue to battle the nation's largest-ever outbreak of bird flu, the business owners who have lost their poultry are facing a grim recovery period. Linda Fahy, Agriculture Victoria's regional manager for animal health and wellbeing for south-west Victoria, said compensation for livestock losses was available for farmers who were required to cull animals due to emergency diseases. …

Opinion: Bird flu is a real threat. Here’s a way to fight it
6 months ago

Opinion: Bird flu is a real threat. Here’s a way to fight it

LA Times  

If the last couple years are any indication, bird flu is not just for the birds. Livestock transport is regulated at the federal level by the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, which requires animals traveling domestically for more than 28 hours to be offloaded for food, water and rest, and the Animal Health Protection Act, which gives the USDA broad authority to …

More than 1 million birds to be destroyed as bird flu is detected at a seventh Victorian farm
6 months ago

More than 1 million birds to be destroyed as bird flu is detected at a seventh Victorian farm

ABC  

In short: More than one million birds will be killed in Victoria to stop the spread of bird flu, as poultry farmers continue to fight Australia's largest outbreak of the disease More than one million birds will be killed in Victoria to stop the spread of bird flu, as poultry farmers continue to fight Australia's largest outbreak of the disease …

Ex-CDC Director Makes Alarming Bird Flu Prediction
6 months ago

Ex-CDC Director Makes Alarming Bird Flu Prediction

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former CDC Director Robert Redfield suggested that a bird flu pandemic among humans is inevitable ― and would be extremely lethal. “I really do think it’s very likely that we will, at some time ― it’s not a question of if, it’s more of a question of when ― we will have a bird flu pandemic,” Redfield …

Former director of the CDC predicts the next pandemic will be from bird flu
6 months ago

Former director of the CDC predicts the next pandemic will be from bird flu

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu
6 months, 1 week ago

With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — As the U.S. dairy industry confronts a bird flu outbreak, with cases reported at dozens of farms and the disease spreading to people, the egg industry could serve as an example of how to slow the disease but also shows how difficult it can be to eradicate the virus. He said it appears that bird flu …

WHO confirms world's first human bird flu death in Mexico
6 months, 2 weeks ago

WHO confirms world's first human bird flu death in Mexico

India Today  

A person with prior health complications who had contracted bird flu died in Mexico in April and the source of exposure to the virus was unknown, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. "Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, A viruses have been reported in poultry in Mexico", WHO said in a …

Centre directs states/UTs to keep vigil on avian influenza, wants regular health check
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Centre directs states/UTs to keep vigil on avian influenza, wants regular health check

Live Mint  

Four states reported outbreaks of Avian Influenza or bird flu, prompting the Union government to direct all states and union territoris to be vigilant about any unusual bird deaths. It has also asked them to strengthen biosecurity measures in all poultries, maintain enhanced surveillance in wet markets and urged strict and timely reporting of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection cases. Enhanced …

More than four million chickens to be killed after bird flu hits egg farm
6 months, 3 weeks ago

More than four million chickens to be killed after bird flu hits egg farm

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Farmers will have to …

Bird flu spread fears mean 500,000 chickens must be culled
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Bird flu spread fears mean 500,000 chickens must be culled

ABC  

To protect our birds and your food, more than half a million chickens need to die. "We now move towards stamping out the disease which means removing the diseased and at risk population and disposing of them in a way which means there is no risk of onward spread," Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Graeme Cooke explained. Supply impact ‘a …

Authorities on alert after low-risk bird flu case detected on West Australian chicken farm
7 months ago

Authorities on alert after low-risk bird flu case detected on West Australian chicken farm

ABC  

In short: A low-pathogenic case of bird flu has been detected on a poultry farm in WA's South West. A mixed poultry farm in Western Australia's South West has been placed under a pest control notice after a low pathogenic strain of avian influenza was detected. We do know H9 low pathogenic strains occur in wild birds," Dr Webb said. …

Australia confirms first human case of bird flu
7 months ago

Australia confirms first human case of bird flu

India Today  

Australia has confirmed its first human case of avian influenza in a child who may have been "infected by the virus in India" but has now since fully recovered. "This is the first confirmed human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Australia," said Dr Claire Looker, Victoria's chief health officer, in a statement. NEW STRAIN OF BIRD FLU IN …

Bird flu strain H7N3 detected on Victorian farm, hundreds of thousands of chickens euthanased
7 months ago

Bird flu strain H7N3 detected on Victorian farm, hundreds of thousands of chickens euthanased

ABC  

In short: Avian influenza has been detected at an egg farm in Victoria, leading to hundreds of thousands of chickens being euthanased. The confirmation comes amid fears of a global bird flu outbreak following the widespread detection of the H5N1 strain overseas. Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said avian influenza was present in Australian wild birds and "from time …

A strain of bird flu has caused 'mass mortality events' on every continent but Australia. Scientists say an outbreak is inevitable
7 months ago

A strain of bird flu has caused 'mass mortality events' on every continent but Australia. Scientists say an outbreak is inevitable

ABC  

A deadly strain of avian influenza has breached the fragile ecosystem of the world's most remote continent. “It was quite devastating, every couple of metres you’re finding another dead bird," Federation University Australia researcher Dr Meagan Dewar told 7.30. A mutated strain of the virus we know as "bird flu" had penetrated the world's most remote continent. "We do know …

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans
7 months, 1 week ago

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans

Daily Mail  

The FDA is gearing up for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four of those it infects, the agency's top official has revealed. Dr Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, pictured speaking to the Senate's agriculture committee on Wednesday The above graph shows the dairy herds that have tested positive for bird flu over time. Officials fear …

Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO
8 months ago

Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization voiced alarm Thursday at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an "extraordinarily high" mortality rate. "This remains I think an enormous concern," the UN health agency's chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva. But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with …

Fresh bird flu pandemic fears as WHO warns outbreak is of 'enormous concern' and would have 'extraordinarily high' death rates
8 months ago

Fresh bird flu pandemic fears as WHO warns outbreak is of 'enormous concern' and would have 'extraordinarily high' death rates

Daily Mail  

The increasing spread of bird flu to humans is an 'enormous concern', the World Health Organization has warned. Experts at the World Health Organization said the strain humans face an 'extraordinarily high' mortality rate if it were to take hold, currently killing more than half of those infected. Jeremy Farrar, the UN health agency's chief scientist, said: 'This remains I …

WHO Voices Alarm At Rising Bird Flu Cases, Calls It 'Enormous Concern'
8 months ago

WHO Voices Alarm At Rising Bird Flu Cases, Calls It 'Enormous Concern'

News 18  

The World Health Organization voiced alarm Thursday at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an “extraordinarily high” mortality rate. “This remains I think an enormous concern,” the UN health agency’s chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva. But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with …

Human bird flu cases ’an enormous concern’: WHO flags surge in H5N1 cases with ‘extraordinarily high’ mortality
8 months ago

Human bird flu cases ’an enormous concern’: WHO flags surge in H5N1 cases with ‘extraordinarily high’ mortality

Live Mint  

The World Health Organization has voiced concern as bird flu or avian influenza continues to cross the species barrier with increasing frequency. The UN health body said on Thursday that the strain has become “a global zoonotic animal pandemic” with human victims displaying an “extraordinarily high” mortality rate. Other animals infected with avian influenza viruses may have virus present in …

Bird Flu Scare: Govt Checks Virus Strains Circulating in India, Poultry Lobby Finds No Unusual Trend
8 months, 1 week ago

Bird Flu Scare: Govt Checks Virus Strains Circulating in India, Poultry Lobby Finds No Unusual Trend

News 18  

India has begun monitoring virus strains amid the looming scare of bird flu globally, especially in the United States. “However, at present, it is the time when these birds leave India, reducing the likelihood of acquiring new infections.” Dhanda, who is also the president of Unnat Group engaged in the poultry feed and equipment business, stated that the association has …

You Don't Need to Worry About A Bird Flu Pandemic Just Yet
8 months, 2 weeks ago

You Don't Need to Worry About A Bird Flu Pandemic Just Yet

The Quint  

A bird flu outbreak was confirmed in Kerala's Alappuzha, after ducks in two districts tested positive for it. This comes days after a dairy farm worker in Texas tested positive for the H5N1 virus - the first time that avian flu has transmitted to humans from cattle. "It has the potential to cause a pandemic that is 100 times worse …

California wildlife is vulnerable to an avian flu ‘apocalypse.’ What is driving the spread?
9 months, 4 weeks ago

California wildlife is vulnerable to an avian flu ‘apocalypse.’ What is driving the spread?

LA Times  

An “apocalyptic” mass mortality event that has left thousands of sea lions and elephant seals dead on the beaches of South America is raising alarms among some California sea mammal experts who fear similar scenes could play out along California’s Pacific Coast and other continents as the H5N1 bird flu continues its march across the globe. The disease “presents an …

South Africa culls nearly 2.5 million chickens to contain bird flu outbreaks
1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa culls nearly 2.5 million chickens to contain bird flu outbreaks

Hindustan Times  

South Africa has culled nearly 2.5 million chickens in an effort to contain dozens of outbreaks of two separate strains of avian influenza that have threatened to create a shortage of eggs for consumers and are hitting an industry already struggling due to an electricity crisis, the government said on Tuesday. Wilhelm Mare, chairman of the poultry group in the …

South Africa culls about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain bird flu outbreaks
1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa culls about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain bird flu outbreaks

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa has culled about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain dozens of outbreaks of two separate strains of avian influenza that threaten to create a shortage of eggs and poultry for consumers, the government and national poultry association said Tuesday. The 7.5 million birds represented about 20-30% of South Africa’s total chicken …

Bird flu might infect humans ‘more easily’, UN agencies warns: What it means
1 year, 5 months ago

Bird flu might infect humans ‘more easily’, UN agencies warns: What it means

Hindustan Times  

Amid avian flu outbreaks globally, three UN agencies warned that the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily, urging countries to strengthen disease surveillance and improve hygiene at poultry farms. This comes as a new highly contagious H5N1 strain of bird flu among wild birds spread to new geographical regions, raising fears of a pandemic among humans. “There is …

Brazil confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds: What this means
1 year, 7 months ago

Brazil confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds: What this means

Hindustan Times  

Brazil, the world's top chicken exporter, has for the first time confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza cases but only in wild birds, the Agriculture Ministry said on Monday. Two cases were detected in wild birds and should not trigger a ban on imports of Brazilian poultry products as per guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health, according to the …

Bird flu detectives hunt for clues to stop next global pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

Bird flu detectives hunt for clues to stop next global pandemic

Hindustan Times  

If you want to know how the world is preparing for the next global pandemic look at Rolaing, a Cambodian village located on a tributary of the Mekong River. It forms part of a much bigger global effort — combining government, industry and health officials — to be better prepared for the next pandemic, whether it is avian flu or …

First H3N8 bird flu victim may have caught virus from a WET MARKET
1 year, 8 months ago

First H3N8 bird flu victim may have caught virus from a WET MARKET

Daily Mail  

The H3N8 strain is not normally thought to spread between humans Samples later taken from the wet market tested positive for influenza A The woman first became ill on February, 22 and died on March, 16 A Chinese woman who became the first person to ever die from the H3N8 strain of bird flu may have caught the killer strain …

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