H5N1: Do we need to worry about the latest bird flu outbreaks? - ISS-G20 Laboratorium Repository

While H5N1 has been circulating among birds and poultry in various parts of the world for years, the latest outbreaks have sent warning signals to the scientific community, as the virus seems to be spreading to places previously unreached.

The current clade of the virus, called 2.3.4.4b, was first reported in January 2022 in the US. Since then the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported outbreaks in 47 states, affecting 58 million commercial poultry and backyard flocks.

However, much of the attention had been on South America, where 10 countries have recorded their first ever cases. Both Argentina and Uruguay have declared national health emergencies after outbreaks, and Peru has seen 55 000 wild birds die in its coastal nature preserves, as well as around 600 sea lions.

Entire content available on: https://www.bmj.com/content/380/bmj.p401