A current strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has become a global problem. The virus has affected many millions of birds, some other animal species, and a small number of people.

In October 2022, an outbreak in Europe of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) in intensively farmed minks occurred in northwest Spain. A single mink farm hosting more than 50,000 minks was involved.

In autumn 2022, the Spanish Influenza National Reference Laboratory (NRL) confirmed the detection of influenza A(H5N1) in samples from two asymptomatic workers linked to an outbreak in a poultry farm in Spain.

Massive mortality of 5,224 sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in Peru seems to be associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection.

We describe the evolution of the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) in sea lions (Otaria flavescens) of South America.

In March 2024, dairy and poultry veterinarian Kay Russo, DVM, MAHM, DACPV, consulted with Barbara Petersen, DVM, MBA, who was working up sick cattle on a dairy farm in Texas.

Federal Order to assist with developing a baseline of critical information and limiting the spread of H5N1 in dairy cattle

As bird flu is confirmed in 33 cattle herds across eight US states, science editor of the Guardian Ian Sample talks to virologist Dr Ed Hutchinson of Glasgow University and ESWI Board member about why this development has taken scientists by surprise

With promising developments in the field of respiratory viral infections, the conference sessions covered hot topics on seasonal, pandemic, and zoonotic influenza viruses, as well as other respiratory viruses such as RSV and SARS-CoV-2.

New data challenge assumed transmission route and some call for restricting cattle movement

The infections, which include one associated human case, add another worrying wrinkle to a global outbreak that has devastated bird and marine mammal populations.

Unexpected H5N1 outbreaks in cattle raise difficult questions about how to protect herds and people

Influenza is not a single virus, but a collection of subtypes broken down into many different strains.

Wild birds, particularly those belonging to the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, are the natural host of a wide range of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses.

Genetic changes to avian influenza viruses have led to spread among many wild species, creating an uncontrollable global outbreak.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 activity has intensified globally since 2021, increasingly causing mass mortality in wild birds and poultry and incidental infections in mammals.

ESWI 2023: 10 key take home messages

Spillover events of avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) to humans could represent the first step in a future pandemic. Several factors that limit the transmission and replication of avian IAVs in mammals have been identified.