AVIAN INFLUENZA

'100 times worse than COVID is spreading across the world’, experts say about deadly H5N1 bird flu pandemic

Experts are raising concerns about the potential rapid spread of bird flu, warning of a death toll possibly "100 times worse than the Covid pandemic." Recent briefings highlighted worries over the H5N1 strain's ability to spark a global outbreak. Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi emphasized the virus's threat, noting its ability to infect various mammals, including humans. With recent cases showing human transmission potential, authorities are on high alert, as H5N1 carries a high mortality rate compared to Covid-19.

India, US resolve last outstanding WTO dispute on poultry

In 2015, India lost a long-pending dispute over poultry imports from the US at the WTO. India had prohibited the import of various agricultural products from the US because of concerns related to Avian Influenza. New Delhi lost the case at the WTO at both the panel level and at the appellate level and though it lifted the ban, Washington remained unconvinced about the mechanism for poultry shipments and import duties and did not withdraw the case at the WTO.

France puts country on 'high' alert for bird flu

​Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has led to the culling of hundreds of millions birds worldwide in recent years. It usually strikes during autumn and winter and has been spreading in many European countries in the past weeks, including Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

India keenly watching China's children illness cases; govt issues statement

According to Health ministry, India is at low risk from both the avian influenza case reported in China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness. India, the ministry added, is prepared for any kind of exigency that may emerge from the current influenza situation in China.

Bird Flu: Two new cases detected in poultry workers after contract with infected birds. Details here

Two poultry workers in the UK have tested positive for bird flu after coming into contact with infected birds, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

Surging bird flu cases may increase human infection risk: WHO

The World Health Organization has warned that mammalian outbreaks of bird flu could facilitate transmission to humans, as avian influenza viruses adapt to infect animals biologically closer to humans. Some mammals may act as “mixing vessels” for influenza viruses, leading to the emergence of new viruses that could cause harm to animals and humans, the WHO said. Rising numbers of H5N1 avian influenza detections among mammals have led to concerns the virus may find it easier to infect humans.

Brazil, top chicken exporter, confirms first ever avian flu cases in wild birds

The avian influenza virus has the tendency to kill entire flocks of birds and can cause losses to the farming sector.

WHO issues advice after world's first human death in China from H3N8 bird flu

All of the cases of humans being infected with H3N8 bird flu have been reported from China. Human cases of infection with avian influenza viruses are usually the result of direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments.

China records world's first human death from H3N8 bird flu: WHO

The 56-year-old woman from the southern province of Guangdong was the third person known to have been infected with the H3N8 subtype of avian influenza, the WHO said in a statement late on Tuesday.

China detects another human case of influenza A H3N8

This is reportedly the third such case, after China reported two H3N8 cases in 2022 involving a four-year-old boy from Zhumadian City in Henan province and a five-year-old boy from Changsha city in Hunan province.

Bird flu shots for humans: Why vaccine makers are keeping them ready

Leading vaccine makers who specialise in flu shots across the world are confident of making "hundreds of millions of bird flu shots for humans within months" if a new strain of avian influenza affects us, Reuters said in a report. This comes as a current outbreak of bird flu, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, has worried experts.

H5N1: Know about avian flu killing thousands of sea lions in Peru

Scientists worry that the avian flu may be spreading from mammal to mammal after decimating marine life along the nation's Pacific coastline.

Assam government imposed temporary ban on entry of poultry as a precautionary measure because of outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

In an order it state as the diseases is a highly contagious avian disease having zoonotic potential or causing huge loss in terms of mortality and trade of poultry, Governor of Assam is pleased to impose temporary ban on entry of poultry as a precautionary measure through western border of the states in the interest of preventing escalation of the disease to Assam and other North Eastern States.

Avian Flu: Over 400 chickens die in Jharkhand, read to know more

Avian Flu: The main risk factor for humans is possible via direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments, such as live bird markets. Experts claim that slaughtering, de-feathering, preparing poultry for consumption, and handling carcasses of infected poultry, especially in household settings can aggravate risk factors. Notably, the avian influenza A virus in humans has an incubation period averaging from two to five days and can go up to 17 days.

Bird flu outbreak in state-run poultry farm in Kerala, 1800 birds dead

As initial tests indicated the outbreak of bird flu, the samples were sent to the high security lab in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) for accurate diagnosis which confirmed the avian influenza, a government statement said.

Chinese officials discuss COVID situation with WHO experts after Tedros criticism

They agreed to continue technical exchanges to help end the epidemic worldwide as soon as possible, it said. Millions of Chinese were infected in the current surge of Omicron variants in China, causing alarm over the world.Earlier on Thursday, Tedros tweeted: "As I said at our most recent press conference -- in order to make a comprehensive risk assessment of the #COVID19 situation on the ground in #China, @WHO needs more detailed information."

Bird flu: Here’s everything you need to know about the deadliest avian influenza outbreak in history

According to scientists, avian influenza offers a modest risk to people.

Get to know avian flu, the disease afflicting TikTok's most famous emu, Emmanuel

This disease is caused by the influenza A virus.

Human-to-human transmission of bird flu rare, no need to panic: AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria

"The transmission of the virus from birds to humans is rare and sustained human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus has not yet been established and therefore there is no need to panic. But then people working closely with poultry must take precautionary measures and maintain proper personal hygiene," Dr Guleria said.

12-year-old boy suffering from bird flu dies at AIIMS in Delhi

"His samples tested negative for COVID-19. It came out positive for influenza but was non-typable. It was sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, where they confirmed it to be positive for H5N1 avian influenza," a source said.

China reports H5N8 avian flu in wild birds in Shaanxi province

China's agriculture ministry said on Wednesday it had confirmed an outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza in wild birds at a nature reserve in the northwestern province of Shaanxi.

6,126 more birds die in Maharashtra; samples sent for testing

The government said 6 other birds, including herons and parrots, and a crow, have also died in the state, where bird flu cases have been reported from some districts.

Water samples from Kanpur zoo test positive for Avian Influenza