Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or AI, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects a variety of bird species used in food production, as well as ornamental and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses induce two distinct forms of illness:

  1. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): This results from extremely virulent viruses and leads to a . high mortality rate among affected birds.

  2. Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI): This is caused by viruses associated with milder respiratory symptoms, reduced egg production, and a moderate increase in mortality.

The presence of avian flu poses a significant threat to the poultry industry, resulting in substantial economic consequences. Notably, only viruses of subtypes H5 and H7 have the potential to evolve into highly pathogenic forms.

Additionally, certain avian influenza viruses are zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans.

The virus is transmitted between animals, directly via saliva, nasal secretions, and feces of infected animals, or indirectly, through exposure to contaminated food, water, agricultural equipment, etc..

Trade, transport of poultry, migrations of wild birds are equally means of longer-distance transmission

Zoonotic transmission usually occurs during local farming, animal husbandry in industrial settings, i.e. direct or indirect contact during animal breeding, farming, management etc. or in animal markets in which animals are handled, especially without proper protection or care.

A very large number of wild birds have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza; the infectious pressure in the wild is thereby high. The number of infections in the poultry sector is not negligible (38 holdings since September 1, 2022, including 17 professional farms, 20 private owners and 1 zoologic park). Ferrets were also positively detected with the virus at a private keeper where an outbreak in chickens and ducks was detected. Fifteen wild foxes and three wild polecats were also found positive. This underlines the very high level of vigilance and biosecurity needed in order to avoid the introduction of the virus into its facilities.

(info from Sciensano, https://tinyurl.com/yo362qhd)

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