The bird flu situation in 2024 is alarming. Here are the key facts:
## Unprecedented outbreak in birds and mammals
The H5N1 virus bird flu outbreak, ongoing since 2020, is the largest ever documented. It is characterized by unprecedented geographic spread across all continents except Oceania and continuous year-round circulation.[4] The expansion to over 40 mammal species such as sea lions, seals, and minks is also new.
## First infections in livestock
In March 2024, the first infections were detected in dairy cows in the USA – a surprising development, as cattle were not thought to be susceptible.[3] So far, there have been no cases in livestock in Germany, but intensive monitoring is in place.[2]
## Mass culls to control the epidemic
To contain the spread, over 32,000 birds were culled in Germany alone in 2024, including 30,000 hens on one farm.[1] The previous year saw 1.4 million animals culled, and over 500,000 chicks in 2016/17.[1]
## Warning of pandemic risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm due to transmission to mammals. The increased frequency of human infections through other mammals suggests that the zoonosis could trigger a new pandemic.[1] The risk of the virus adapting to humans is increasing.[4]
Overall, the bird flu situation in 2024 is highly concerning due to its enormous spread, transmission to mammals, and the WHO's pandemic warning.[1][3][4]
Citations:
[1] https://www.peta.de/neuigkeiten/vogelgrippe/
[2] https://www.lanuv.nrw.de/verbraucherschutz/tiergesundheit/tierseuchenbekaempfung/tierseuchen/gefluegelpest
[3] https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/Z/ZoonotischeInfluenza/Vogelgrippe.html
[4] https://www.hug.ch/sites/interhug/files/structures/centre_maladies_virales_emergentes/Documents/Newsfeeds/ausbruch_der_vogelgrippe_h5n1_stand_06.05.2024_ger.pdf
[5] https://www.lgl.bayern.de/tiergesundheit/tierkrankheiten/virusinfektionen/gefluegelpest/et_gefluegelpest_in_bayern.htm
