15 Countries in the Americas Confirm Bird Flu Outbreaks

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently stated that the detection of avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks in 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean has never been recorded before.

These bird flu outbreaks are mainly located in areas along the Pacific Flyway.

As of epidemiological week #31 of 2023, the PAHO reported authorities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, the USA, and Venezuela have detected outbreaks of Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in domestic birds, farm poultry and/or wild birds, and in mammals.

Among the mammals identified as of August 9, 2023, red foxes and skunks were the most frequently affected in North America and fur seals in South America. For example, Argentina's Senasa reported on August 11, 2023, the country's first avian flu detections in sea lions.

And in Chile, about 16,000 sea lions have died due to HPAI infections this year.

Whenever avian influenza viruses circulate among poultry, there is a risk of sporadic occurrence of human cases due to exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments.

From 2003 to July 14, 2023, twenty-three countries reported 878 human cases of influenza A(H5N1) infection, including 458 deaths (case fatality ratio 52%), says the PAHO.

While there are ongoing investments in bird flu vaccines for mammals and people, the U.S. CDC reaffirms the annual flu shot is not designed to protect people from HAPI viruses.