A recent report from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has confirmed the presence of a new strain of bird flu at a duck farm in California. This marks the first time that the variant, known as “highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N9,” has been detected in poultry in the United States.
The outbreak was identified on a commercial duck premise in Merced County, California, with all 119,000 poultry at the farm being culled as a precautionary measure. The origin of the outbreak remains unknown, but US animal health officials are actively conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and have heightened surveillance efforts in response to the situation.
In addition to the HPAI H5N9 strain, the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which is more common among animals in the US, was also found at the affected farm. This development has raised concerns among health experts about the potential for the virus to mutate and pose a threat to human health.
The emergence of this new strain of bird flu comes at a critical time as the US has recently announced its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision has sparked concerns about the impact on global health efforts, particularly in the context of tracking and responding to international health emergencies.
Despite the withdrawal from the WHO, US health officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely and collaborate with international agencies to address the bird flu outbreak. The WHO has emphasized the importance of sharing critical data and information to effectively track the spread of viruses and prevent potential pandemics.
To date, there have been 67 reported cases of bird flu in the US, with one fatality recorded in early January. The cases have been linked to direct exposure to infected animals, and there have been no reports of human-to-human transmission. However, the possibility of the virus mutating into a contagious strain that could trigger a human pandemic remains a concern among scientists.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for health authorities to remain vigilant and proactive in their response to the bird flu outbreak. Cooperation and information sharing at both national and international levels are essential to effectively combat the spread of the virus and protect public health.
Source:
New strain of bird flu confirmed in US (2025, January 28) retrieved 29 January 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-strain-bird-flu.html
Please note that this document is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission for the purpose of private study or research. The content is provided for informational purposes only.
