Bird Flu: UNO warns of "alarming" situation in Asia-Pacific region
With the emergence of a new variant of Avian Influenza, the situation has become more complicated. This means new challenges for scientists, health authorities, doctors, and local governments, warned the FAO. The authorities in the area must act "promptly" to fight against the spread of the disease.
The Avian Influenza virus H5N1 first appeared in 1996, the number of infected bird herds has been increasing exponentially since 2020 - in parallel, the number of infected livestock, including dairy cows, has also risen.
In Europe, the Avian Influenza went back significantly in the spring compared to previous years. However, in other world regions and even in the Antarctic, infections have increased significantly, as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced at the beginning of July.
In Asia, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are currently facing Avian Influenza epidemics, explained the FAO. The entire Mekong River Basin, Indonesia, and the Philippines are currently being closely monitored due to their natural diversity and limited nature protection measures.
The FAO called on the countries in the region to take coordinated action. Solutions for quick diagnosis and data analysis for the Virus are necessary, as well as measures to protect livestock such as vaccinations or disinfection of employees' footwear in agricultural businesses.
The new variant of Avian Influenza is causing concern not just in Europe, but also in the Asia-Pacific Region, particularly in Vietnam. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has sounded an alarming note, highlighting the increase in infected bird herds and livestock in Asia since 2020, including dairy cows and in countries like China and Cambodia.
The Avian Influenza H5N1 virus, first identified in 1996, has seen a significant resurgence in recent times, with the number of infections spreading rapidly across Asia. This has led to a situation that requires immediate action from health authorities and governments in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The FAO has identified countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh as currently grappling with Avian Influenza epidemics in the region. Meanwhile, countries like Vietnam are under close observation due to their natural diversity and limited nature protection measures.
The FAO has called for coordinated action among countries in the region, emphasizing the need for quick diagnosis and data analysis tools for the virus, as well as protective measures for livestock such as vaccinations and footwear disinfection for agricultural workers.
The Avian Influenza, commonly known as Bird flu, has become a significant concern not just for the Asia-Pacific Region but for the entire world. The FAO and other international organizations are working closely to monitor and control the spread of the virus, following the alarming rise in infections across Asia and other parts of the world.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also reported a significant increase in Avian Influenza infections in other world regions, including the Antarctic, underscoring the global scale of the issue.
FAO has urged countries to take immediate action and implement necessary measures to prevent and control the spread of Avian Influenza, recognizing the potential threat it poses to the livestock industry and public health in the Asia-Pacific Region and beyond.
