WHO is primarily concerned about limited global surveillance of the spread of the H5N avian influenza virus. The Health Organization has warned that random surveillance and a lack of global countermeasures limit the ability to manage the risk posed to humans by the bird flu virus. She pointed to subsequent cases of human infections – from cattle in the USA, from chickens in Australia, Mexico and Cambodia. Three new cases of bird flu have also been reported among wild mammals in Brittany.
Low risk or too little data?
-No human-to-human transmission of the virus has been reported to date. WHO therefore continues to assess the risk to the general public as low, said the head of the UN health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
-Our ability to assess and manage risk is compromised by limited surveillance of influenza viruses in animals worldwide. Understanding how these viruses spread and evolve in animals is essential to identify any changes that could increase the risk of an outbreak in humans or the possibility of a pandemic, the WHO representative said.
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USA: Fourth case of bird flu in a human infected with cattle
A common threat requires action
WHO urged all countries to report cases of avian influenza in animals and humans, and to share samples and analysis results. She also called for greater protection for farm workers who may be exposed to infected animals and for more research on bird flu.
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Forced testing of dairy farm workers in the USA? Avian flu in milk and meat
According to Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's head of epidemic preparedness and prevention, the transmission of the H5N1 virus to mammals and humans, and the ability to infect each other with the virus, is a serious threat for the near future that must be eliminated. First of all, the infection process in dairy cattle needs to be investigated.
Meanwhile, the virus has already been detected in 145 herds in twelve US states. Cases reported in humans have been mostly mild, but not all and not everywhere. The H5N1 virus first appeared in 1996, but since 2020, the number of outbreaks in birds has increased exponentially, as the number of infected mammals has increased.
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In Australia, a popular fast food chain is reducing its breakfast serving time due to bird flu 
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The avian influenza virus found in Europe can infect cows. There is a risk of an epidemic
