Avian Influenza Outbreaks Occurred in America and Europe

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recently reported that Europe's 2021–2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic season was the largest ever observed. 

As of October 3, 2022, the latest ECDC data shows that 48 million birds were culled in 37 European countries.

This news is vital since HAPI can sporadically infect humans, causing mild to very severe diseases.

"Thankfully, there have been no human infections during the recent outbreaks of avian influenza in the EU/EEA," said Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director, in a related press release. 

"However, several groups of people, mainly those working in the animal sector, are at increased risk of exposure to infected animals."

"Vigilance is needed to identify infections with influenza viruses as early as possible and to inform risk assessments and public health action," she added.

Since 2003, more than 860 human infections with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).

With about 53% of those HAPI patients resulting in fatalities.

Ancestors of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses first emerged in southern China in 1997.

According to the U.S. CDC, the Asian lineage H5N1 and H7N9 have caused the most human infections. 

Internationally, 54 countries reported an H5N1 outbreak in birds in 2021 and 2022.

The Eurasian H5N1 strain first appeared in North America in January 2022 and has affected poultry/birds in 40 states and led to the loss of about 47 million birds as of October 3, 2022. 

The CDC says, 'the public health risk associated with these avian influenza detections in birds remains low.'

However, the CDC did confirm one H5 human infection in Montrose County, Colorado, in April 2022.

The CDC says annual flu shots do not protect people from avian influenza (bird flu) pandemic infections.

The U.S. FDA has approved a bird flu pandemic vaccine that would distribute if a person-to-person outbreak occurs.

The FDA has authorized CSL Seqirus' Audenz™ monovalent cell-based vaccine for persons at increased risk of exposure to the influenza A virus H5N1 subtype.

Additional avian influenza vaccine news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Avian.