Bird flu cases among humans in Asia are increasing

Geneva/Bangkok. Experts are deeply concerned about the recent cluster of cases of bird flu among humans in Asia. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is calling for greater efforts across the country to combat bird flu.

After a long period with few human infections, thirteen cases have been reported from Cambodia since the end of 2023, in addition to cases from China and Vietnam. The regional manager of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) in Southeast Asia speaks of a pandemic risk.

“The recent increase in the number of outbreaks of bird flu is extremely worrying,” said Kachen Wongsathapornchai. “Since late 2023, we have seen an increase in the number of human cases and the spread of the virus to new animal species. The emergence of new A/H5N1 strains that are more transmissible increases the risk of a pandemic.”

Distributed worldwide

The H5N1 virus has spread worldwide. Wild and farm animals are affected. The FAO lists scavengers, marine mammals, carnivorous domestic animals, mammals farmed for their fur and ruminants such as dairy cows.

Outbreaks of avian influenza in animals must be identified quickly and information must be shared quickly with neighbouring countries and regions, demands the FAO. More capacity for rapid diagnostics and bioinformatics should be developed. Farmers must increase biosecurity and vaccination campaigns on poultry farms are necessary. In addition, people must be informed about the risks of infection.

There is no further human-to-human transmission yet

So far, most infected people have been in close contact with animals. According to current knowledge, there is no continuous transmission from person to person. However, the concern is that the virus continues to change and adapt in mammals.

RND/dpa