The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently warned of the unprecedented global spread of highly pathogenic bird flu, which has affected more than 528 species across all five continents since 2021. The virus has now reached 124 countries, resulting in the deaths of 47 million wild birds and the culling of over 600 million domestic birds. This outbreak poses a significant threat to food security, as it can lead to the loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs, income, and increased costs for consumers. Efforts to control the spread of the virus must be intensified through improved biosecurity measures and surveillance.
Despite the fact that bird flu typically does not infect humans, there have been rare cases of human infections reported by the World Health Organization. From 2003 to 2024, there have been 954 cases of human bird flu, resulting in 464 deaths. Most recently, the first reported United States bird flu death occurred in Louisiana, where an individual who had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock was hospitalized with severe respiratory symptoms and later died. The ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza demands a coordinated global response to protect human health and prevent further spread.
The deputy director general of the FAO emphasized the devastating impact of avian influenza on farmers, food security, national economies, and consumers. The outbreak has forced farmers to cull millions of chickens and domestic birds, leading to egg shortages and price increases in countries such as the United States. Although Canada has managed to keep egg prices relatively stable despite bird flu affecting poultry farms, experts caution that prices could still rise. The spread of avian influenza is not just an agricultural crisis, but also poses serious risks to global health and human health, similar to past zoonotic diseases like Ebola.
While the current risk to the general public from bird flu remains low, experts have highlighted the potential for the virus to mutate and evolve as it jumps to new species, increasing the likelihood of human infections. The uncontrolled spread of avian influenza and other zoonotic diseases presents significant challenges to global health and underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent further outbreaks. This ongoing crisis requires a well-coordinated global response, with national governments urged to strengthen their efforts to protect their populations. The impact of avian influenza extends beyond the agricultural sector, affecting various aspects of society and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to mitigating its effects.
