WHO warns of new pandemic after surge in bird flu cases

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warne on Saturday. The need to prepare for a possible bird flu pandemic in humans.

This, after registering a sharp rise in cases of the disease in wild birds. Multiplying in mammals, with the focus – at the moment – being the European continent.

For this reason, Europe is developing a vaccine for poultry and is increasing its vigilance. Possible mutations of the pathogen in order to avoid contagion among humans and a possible food crisis, reports Prensa Latina.

WHO warns of new pandemic after surge in bird flu cases

This follows the revelation of data showing that between October 2021 and September 2022. Europe suffered the most devastating HPAI epidemic in its history, affecting 37 countries.

Health and veterinary authorities counted 2,520 outbreaks in farme birds. The death or culling of 50 million birds, 227 outbreaks in captive birds and 3,867 detections in the wild.

These figures reveal 1.7 times more cases than in the previous season (2020-2021), and 2.4 times more cases, according to the European Food Safety Authority, quoted by the media.

WHO warns of new pandemic after surge in bird flu cases

Given the number of infected animals in the world, experts suggest that the disease, by moving to wild birds, has an infinite capacity to spread and spread the virus, which was previously contained by culling farm animals.

Recently, Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) confirmed the first positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a sea lion in Antofagasta.