Skip to main content

#WHO DG's opening #remarks at the #media #briefing – 16 January 2025 {portion on avian #influenza}

Image
By G.M.

 {Excerpt}

(...)

Now to the global spread of H5 avian influenza.

Last year, 66 cases of H5 were reported from the United States, plus 10 from Cambodia, 2 from Viet Nam and one each from Australia, Canada and China.

This is the highest number of reported human cases since 2015.


So far this year, 2 cases including 1 death have been reported in the United States, and 1 death in Cambodia.

Almost all these cases are associated with infected dairy cattle or poultry.

H5N1 is of particular concern because since the first human cases were reported in 2003, it has killed almost half of those it has struck.

Fortunately, H5N1 has not yet developed the ability to transmit easily between humans. But that could be only a matter of time.

Every transmission from one animal to another, or to a human, is an opportunity for the virus to mutate, or to mix with other influenza viruses.

It’s therefore imperative that the virus is not allowed to spread unchecked in animals.

WHO is working closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in a One Health approach to managing the threat of H5 globally.

We call on all countries to strengthen biosecurity on farms, testing and surveillance, and to provide personal protective equipment to farm workers who may be at risk.

We also call on all countries with outbreaks of H5 among animals to share viral samples and sequences with the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, or GISRS.

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing---16-january-2025

_____

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#USA, APHIS Confirms {Avian #Influenza #H5N1} #D11 #Genotype in Dairy #Cattle in #Nevada

By G.M.
On January 31, 2025, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed by whole genome sequence the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle .  This confirmation was a result of State tracing and investigation, following an initial detection on silo testing under the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) in Nevada.  USDA APHIS continues to work with the Nevada Department of Agriculture by conducting additional on-farm investigation, testing, and gathering additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.  This is the first detection of this virus genotype in dairy cattle (all previous detections in dairy cattle have been HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 ).  Genotype D1.1 represents the predominant genotype in the North American flyways this past fall an...
Post a Comment
Read more »

#USA, After #Birdflu Detected in Local #Cat, County #Health Officials Say #Pet Owners Should Contact Veterinarian When Their Pets are Sick

By G.M.
Redwood City — State veterinary and health officials have confirmed a case of H5N1 (bird flu) in a domestic stray cat in San Mateo County.  The infection, which is not related to the recent instance of bird flu in a backyard flock , was found in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay that had been taken in by a family .  When it showed symptoms, they took it to Peninsula Humane Society, whose veterinarians examined it and requested testing. Lab results confirmed H5N1.  It is not known how the cat was infected and it was euthanized due to its condition. Cats may be exposed to bird flu by consuming infected bird , being in environments contaminated with the virus and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows or raw food. Inside domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, that go outside are also at risk of infection.​​​​​​​ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of cats spreading H5N1 to people is extremely low, though it is possible for cats to spre...
Post a Comment
Read more »

Young #boy in #Cambodia contracts #H5N1 #birdflu

By G.M.
PHNOM PENH, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A three-year-and-six-month boy from northeast Cambodia's Kratie province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza , raising the number of cases to three so far this year , said a Ministry of Health's statement on Sunday. The boy had been brought to the hospital in a critical condition with fever, cough, and dyspnea , it said, adding that he is receiving medical treatment with the utmost care from a team of doctors. "According to queries, the patient's family raised chickens and about five chickens had died , as some others were sick, and his family members cooked the dead poultry for food," the statement said. Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the patient in order to prevent an outbreak in the community, it added. Among the three human cases of H5N1 so far this year , two had died, and all patients reportedly had a h...
Post a Comment
Read more »