2023-05-12 14:19:00
The number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu (HPAI) in poultry has decreased in Europe. In nature, seagulls are still severely affected by the virus. The risk to people in Europe remains low.
That’s according to the latest avian flu report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the EU Reference Laboratory, published on Friday. Outbreaks among poultry were less frequent in March and April than in the period from December to February. There were also fewer outbreaks on farms compared to the same period last year.
Wild birds showed a decrease in March and April compared to the previous reporting period, but the number of outbreaks increased compared to spring 2022. Black-headed gulls are badly affected and mortality among endangered species such as the peregrine falcon also increased .
Expansion in United States
Highly pathogenic bird flu continued to spread in the United States and is expected to reach Antarctica in the near future. The virus was first found in six new mammal species, including marine mammals and mustelids, in the latest reporting period. Infections were reported in cats in the United States and there was an infection in a dog in Canada. As a precautionary measure, Efsa recommends avoiding pets being exposed to dead or sick animals in areas affected by HPAI.
The risk of infection for humans in Europe remains low and this risk is low to moderate for people who come into contact with potentially infected and dead animals, such as poultry farmers and veterinarians.
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