Why this avian influenza epornitic Is different?
The University of Maryland (UMD) has led a study to investigate the arrival and spread of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in North America, which has resulted in significant losses of wild birds, and impacted poultry farming.
The team of researchers discovered that this outbreak is unique compared to previous ones due to the impact on wild birds and a shift from seasonal to year-round infections. They are calling for unprecedented coordination at a national and regional level to manage the disease and prevent it from spreading further. The team also predicts that H5N1 may become endemic, posing a risk to food security and the economy.
The study was published in the journal Conservation Biology on April 19, 2023.
The researchers analysed five different data sources, which provided information on the incidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and poultry, both globally and specifically in the USA and Canada.
Unlike previous outbreaks, this disease heavily impacts wild birds, making containment through culling poultry relatively difficult. The team recommends a management approach based on a method called Structured Decision-Making, similar to dealing with a human pandemic, to tackle the problem effectively.
