The number of bird flu outbreaks among mammals doubled last year compared to 2023. The virus has also spread to new areas, such as Antarctica. However, by far the most infections were seen among livestock in the United States.
Last year, we counted 1,022 outbreaks of bird flu among mammals worldwide. In 2023, there were 459. This is according to a report by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) that was published on Friday. By far the most outbreaks, over nine hundred, were among livestock in the United States.
Researchers from WOAH are concerned because bird flu has spread in the past year to areas where the disease was not previously present. For example, cases of bird flu have been reported in Latin America and Antarctica.
Especially in Antarctica, the disease would pose a danger to animals and biodiversity. Both birds and marine mammals there breed and mate in large groups, allowing the virus to spread quickly. Think of penguins and seals, for example. In addition, many animal species live in Antarctica that do not occur anywhere else in the world.
The researchers also warn that the chance of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans increases as more mammals become infected. But we do not need to worry immediately: the chance that a human will contract bird flu is still very small.
The increasing number of outbreaks is, according to the researchers, due to climate change and international trade.