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European countries must step up efforts to combat the threat of bird flu amid an “unprecedented” number of outbreaks this autumn, health officials have warned.
Avian influenza is rapidly increasing in wild birds and poultry farms. More than 1,400 cases have been confirmed in at least 26 European countries since September, four times as many as a year ago and the highest level since 2016.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), this increases the risk of the virus spreading among people.
The virus has become more prevalent around the world in recent years, sometimes jumping from birds to mammals such as foxes, mink and cats.
Because the virus is widespread among birds, it is likely that it will eventually reach humans, which virologists say could cause problems. Pandemic threat.
“Although the current risk to European citizens is low, avian influenza remains a serious public health threat due to outbreaks in animals across Europe,” ECDC’s head of respiratory viruses, Edoardo Colzani, said in a statement.
The agency’s recommendations include strengthening virus surveillance and laboratory testing, ensuring access to protective equipment for high-risk populations such as poultry farm workers, and clear communication with the public.
The agency also called for “close cooperation” between veterinary, agricultural and public health authorities.
“We need to ensure that early warning signs are not overlooked and that public health measures are timely, coordinated and effective,” Colzani said.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a number of avian influenza infections have been detected this autumn among waterfowl, including birds that appear to be healthy. Most were caused by a new variant of the virus that is spreading “rapidly” in Europe.
At the beginning of this year,European health and food safety authorities have warned that the bird flu virus could mutate and spread more easily to humans.