“At present, based on the information available to us, we assess that the risk of infection to the public – you and me – is currently low,” said during a regular press briefing of the UN in Geneva, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Acting Director for Managing Epidemics and Pandemic Threats at the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, for agricultural workers and others exposed to infected animals, we assess the risk to public health to be “low to moderate”, depending on factors such as the risk mitigation measures put in place, l Access and use of personal protective equipment such as coveralls, respiratory masks, protective glasses, gloves and boots.
H5N1 avian influenza is common in wild birds and has caused outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows.
No human-to-human transmission has been reported
According to information available from WHO, H5N1 viruses remain avian viruses, have not adapted to spread between people and, so far, among these cases, no human-to-human transmission has been reported or identified by follow-up epidemiological, virological and serological surveys.
“We must remember, however, that this situation can change quickly due to the evolution of the virus, and we must prepare for such a scenario,” added Dr. Van Kerkhove, pleading for “thorough investigations around every human detection to assess the possibility of human-to-human spread.
According to information published in the press, three people were infected with the H5N1 virus in North America without knowing the sources of their contamination. If the global risk is “low”, these three atypical cases make specialists increasingly fear a scenario similar to the beginnings of the H1N1 flu epidemic in 2009. At the time, two sporadic cases of infection with this flu swine in children in California who had no contact with pigs or each other were the first signs of a pandemic that caused 280,000 deaths worldwide.
The United States accounts for 61 of the 76 cases of H5N1 virus reported in 2024
In the meantime, the WHO has identified 76 people infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus in 2024, most of them agricultural workers. Sixty-one of the 76 cases reported this year have been in the United States, which has also reported outbreaks of H5N1 in wildlife and poultry and, more recently, in dairy cows.
While the avian flu situation in the United States is getting all the attention, cases have also been reported this year in Australia, Canada, China, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Besides the spread of the virus from infected animals and surfaces, food safety is also a concern. Cows infected with the H5N1 virus have been reported to have high viral loads in their milk.
For the WHO, it is important to reiterate our long-standing advice to consume pasteurized milk. If pasteurized milk is not available, heating the milk to boiling also makes it safe for consumption. “Similarly, we recommend cooking meat and eggs thoroughly when in areas affected by avian flu outbreaks,” insisted Dr. Van Kerkhove.
Avian flu detected in more than 70 species of domestic and wild mammals
For its part, the World Organization for Animal Health (WHOA) says this disease has caused the death of more than 300 million birds worldwide since October 2021, affecting the livelihoods of millions of people. While historically confined to avian species, the virus is increasingly crossing species barriers, affecting a wide range of domestic and wild mammals and causing devastating ecosystem effects.
This development poses significant challenges for animal, human and environmental health.
Over the past three years (2021 – 2024), avian influenza has been reported in 108 countries/territories on five continents. As of December 2024, the infection has been detected in more than 70 species of domestic and wild mammals.
“Surveillance is essential to protect animal health and public health, as well as to maintain the confidence necessary for safe international animal trade,” argued Dr. Gregorio Torres, Head of the Scientific Department of WHOA.
Researchers from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) are working to combat bird flu in Indonesia.
FAO recommendations on the monitoring of cattle and other livestock mammals
On the side of the International Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses continued to be felt, particularly in the food industry. poultry. In addition to the direct impact on livelihoods, the economic burden on farmers may result in reduced investment in biosecurity measures.
“This increases risk and leads to a dangerous cycle of risk, vulnerability and loss,” detailed Dr Madhur Dhingra, infectious diseases officer at FAO. In response to requests for guidance from Member States, the Rome-based UN agency recently published recommendations on the surveillance of cattle and other livestock mammals for early detection.
FAO continues to support countries to strengthen their capacities for surveillance, joint risk assessment and virus characterization. It is also about implementing biosecurity in value chains, supporting global and regional networks, rapidly sharing risk information and promoting “One Health” responses to a complex challenge like that of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
