Agriculture/Agriculture WHO warns of risks due to gaps in surveillance of bird flu
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns against incomplete surveillance of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in animals. This reduces the ability to control the risk to humans.
11.07.2024, 22:50
SDA
"No human-to-human transmission has been reported so far, which is why WHO continues to assess the risk to the general public as low," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday. "However, our ability to assess and manage this risk is hampered by limited global surveillance of influenza viruses in animals."
According to the WHO, the US reported a fourth case of a human contracting bird flu last week after contact with infected dairy cows. Cambodia had reported two cases of illness in children who had come into contact with sick or dead chickens.
"Understanding how these viruses spread and change in animals is important to detect changes that could increase the risk of outbreaks in humans or the potential for a pandemic," the WHO chief continued.
The WHO called on all countries to strengthen influenza surveillance and reporting in animals and humans and to exchange samples and gene sequences across national borders. It also called for more research into avian influenza and better protection for agricultural workers who may come into contact with infected animals.
The H5N1 avian flu virus has increasingly spread to mammals in recent months, including dairy cattle in the USA. Several humans have also been infected, raising fears of an impending pandemic. In view of the spread of H5N1 in the USA, the chief virologist at Berlin's Charité hospital, Christian Drosten, described the bird flu virus as a possible trigger for a coming pandemic.
