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- In 2024, 15 HPAI outbreaks were detected in domesticated birds. In the same period in the previous epidemiological year, 173 of them were detected.
- The number of outbreaks among wild birds is also decreasing.
- However, detection of HPAI in animals other than birds remains a problem. Among others it has been found in cattle herds in the USA.
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Europe with the lowest number of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases
As reported by the Poultry World website, according to the findings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL), based on data from March 16 to June 14, 2024 , Europe has recorded the lowest number of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases since 2019/2020.
It was indicated that the decrease in the number of cases of bird flu may be related to, among others, With:
- acquisition of herd immunity by some species of wild birds;
- depletion of the population of some wild birds;
- reducing environmental virus contamination;
- change in circulating HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) virus genotypes.
Read more Is it possible to implement a vaccination program to protect against bird flu in Poland?
Domesticated birds – what is the situation regarding bird flu?
During the study period, 15 HPAI outbreaks were reported in 2 European countries. These are:
- 8 outbreaks from Hungary;
- 7 outbreaks from Bulgaria.
For comparison, as reported by Poultry World, a total of 173 outbreaks were detected in the same period in the previous epidemiological year. This is also the lowest number since 2019.
A total of approximately 1 million birds died or were slaughtered in poultry plants affected by bird flu.
Wild birds – a significant improvement in the situation
The total number of HPAI virus detections in wild birds, 27, was approximately 16 times lower than in the previous reporting period (December 2, 2023 to March 15, 2024).
Poultry World reports that:
Overall, the data suggest that HPAI viruses circulated only at low levels, if at all, without causing mass deaths in wild bird populations in Europe during the current reporting period.
Read more Stopping the transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus may be more difficult than previously thought
Is this the end of bird flu in Europe? Unfortunately not necessarily…
The above data are, of course, encouraging. Bird flu is one of the diseases that causes the greatest losses in the world. It spreads quickly, causes mass falls, and so far – there is no effective vaccine against it that could be used on a mass scale.
However, it is worth remembering that this year, for the first time, new species of mammals were found. These include: alpacas (USA), cattle (USA) and walruses (Norway).
This means that the virus can cross species boundaries. And it may, unfortunately, mean that in some time a new type of virus will appear, one that will be even more virulent.
Source: Poultry World
