While the situation in poultry has eased over the summer, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus continued to affect seabirds in Europe, mostly along coastlines. As the autumn migratory season starts, the protection of poultry and other farmed animals from wild birds should be prioritised. Biosecurity should be enhanced in fur animal farms.

Executive summary

Following the autumn bird migration, avian influenza virus outbreaks are expected to occur and spread geographically across the EU/EEA. The transmission of avian influenza viruses to wild, domesticated and farmed mammals will be likely to continue. Whenever avian influenza viruses are present in wild birds and mammals, the possibility of transmission to humans cannot be excluded, particularly for those who are directly exposed while not wearing protective equipment.

During the winter months when seasonal influenza viruses are circulating in the population, testing and sub-typing approaches for avian influenza virus need to be proportionate to the epidemiological situation and the capacities of reference laboratories. Therefore, a risk-based targeted approach is proposed in areas with ongoing avian influenza outbreaks in poultry and detections in wild birds and other animals, focussing on outbreaks and severe respiratory or unexplained neurological disease.

Great article, definitely recommend. Excerpt:

A staggering number of variables influence the risks: bird behavior, the nature of the pathogens, the insects and other vectors that help spread them, and humans’ own habits and effects on the landscape. And as the world warms there’s a new variable to consider, says Martin Beer, a veterinarian at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) who is Günther’s Ph.D. supervisor. “Bird migration, breeding, and everything is connected to climate change.”

As birds migrate to feed or breed, rising temperatures and changing moisture patterns are likely to affect where they go, how long they stay, and what pathogens they meet. The VEO group is on particularly high alert for birds that travel through Europe to the Arctic, which is warming faster than any other part of Earth and serves as a mixing pot for many species.

This is awful. 😭💔

Thousands of penguins could be wiped out across Antarctica as the continent braces for the arrival of bird flu, experts fear.

In an exclusive interview with the Telegraph, the head of polar regions for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office warned that the infection, which has killed millions of birds across the globe over the past year, will have deadly consequences once it reaches the region.

“It could be absolutely devastating,” said Dr Jane Rumble, OBE. “We’re saying when, not if.”

Abstract

Wholly Eurasian highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus was isolated from 2 free-ranging black bears with meningoencephalitis in Quebec, Canada. We found that isolates from both animals had the D701N mutation in the polymerase basic 2 gene, previously known to promote adaptation of H5N1 viruses to mammal hosts

Three birds found dead in the Galapagos Islands have tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1), according to preliminary results released by the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) on Tuesday 19 September.

Some 1,800 day-old chicks have been vaccinated against bird flu as a first step in a two-year trial to test the effectiveness of two vaccines but experts say the process could be speeded up.

Over seven million chickens, ducks and turkeys have been killed in the last two years as a result of the spread of the highly contagious bird flu virus, which experts fear has become endemic.

The strain of avian influenza, or bird flu, known as H5N1 has proved to be alarmingly adept at jumping continents and species. First discovered in 1996 in geese bred on a farm in southern China, the virus has rampaged through populations of captive, commercial birds in recent years, prompting governments to order the slaughter of tens of millions of turkeys, chickens and other poultry to limit the opportunity for contagion. One result: higher food prices. Carried by infected wild birds, particularly geese, swans and gulls, the virus has also been gaining a foothold in many types of mammals. That includes a small number of humans, where it has proven to be lethal. Now seemingly able to spread from mammal to mammal — as seen with mink on a Spanish farm and Peruvian sea lions — the ever-evolving virus has public-health officials on alert for any indications of the most feared outcome: human-to-human transmission that could trigger a pandemic.

Through the spring and fall of 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) triggered the on-farm culling of over 1.4 million birds in Alberta, Canada. This new research investment aims to reduce the impact of future HPAI outbreaks and is crucial to securing a safe food supply and a stable poultry industry in the province, according to a Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) press release.

Highlights Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5Nx viruses can cause neurological complications in many mammalian species, including humans.

Neurological disease induced by HPAI H5Nx viruses in mammals can manifest without clinical respiratory disease.

HPAI H5Nx viruses are more neuropathogenic than other influenza A viruses in mammals.

Severe neurological disease in mammals is related to the neuroinvasive and neurotropic potential of HPAI H5Nx viruses.

Cranial nerves, especially the olfactory nerve, are important routes of neuroinvasion for HPAI H5Nx viruses.

HPAI H5Nx viruses have a broad neurotropic potential and can efficiently infect and replicate in various CNS cell types.

Vaccination and/or antiviral therapy might in part prevent neuroinvasion and neurological disease following HPAI H5Nx virus infection, although comprehensive studies in this area are lacking.

Coast Guard and port authorities in the Argentine beach resort of Mar del Plata Saturday closed the South breakwater after the National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa) confirmed two cases of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 in sea lions in the area where 4 dead specimens were found.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles officials are sounding the alarm after a suspected bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), was reported in the area.

The city – whose announcement was written in a joint statement with the Los Angeles County Public Health – did not specify where or when the suspected case may have been detected. It is also unknown if humans were impacted by the suspected bird flu case.