The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries worldwide to enhance surveillance for bird flu following the first detected case of H5N1 avian influenza in a child in the United States. The case has sparked concerns over the potential spread of the virus among humans.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, highlighted the issue during a recent press conference. “What we really need globally, in the U.S. and abroad, is much stronger surveillance in animals: in wild birds, in poultry, in animals that are known to be susceptible to infection, which includes swine, which include dairy cattle, to better understand the circulation in these animals,” she stated.
H5N1 first emerged in 1996, primarily affecting bird populations. However, since 2020, there has been an exponential increase in outbreaks among birds and a growing number of infections in mammals. The virus has led to the deaths of tens of millions of poultry worldwide, with wild birds and land and marine mammals also impacted.
While human cases recorded in Europe and the United States have largely been mild, the detection of the virus in a child underscores the need for vigilance. Health experts are urging for stronger monitoring efforts to prevent further transmission and to gain a better understanding of the virus’s behavior in various animal species.
The WHO’s appeal emphasizes the importance of global cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by avian influenza. Enhanced surveillance in susceptible animal populations is seen as a critical step toward preventing a possible pandemic and ensuring public health safety.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
