More than 40 million egg-laying hens have been culled in the U.S. alone, making it the worst outbreak on record. Vaccination also could delay outbreak detection, since it can potentially hide non-apparent infections in infected birds. The Powers Farm white turkey flock is seen under shelter as part of an effort to prevent exposure to avian influenza on Nov. 14, 2022 in Townsend, Del. April 24, 2023. The spread of bird flu viruses from one infected person to a close contact is very rare, and when it has happened, it has not led to continued spread among people. The sun can, for instance, naturally disinfect surfaces while gloomier days help viral particles survive on surfaces contaminated by infected bird poop, Lorenzoni said. Sea lions in Peru are also succumbing to H5N1 virus in massive numbers. The team also suggests that H5N1 will likely become endemic, potentially posing risks to food security and the economy. There are only a small handful of examples of human-to-human spread. The viruss prevalence in the wild presents new challenges for its containment. "Rarely, we see crossover from birds into humans, with the current circulating . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. CDC does not currently recommend any travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by bird flu in poultry or people. ScienceDaily. During past H5N1 bird flu virus outbreaks that have occurred in poultry globally, human infections were rare. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230419125054.htm (accessed April 30, 2023). An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide. But nearly 11 months after the first known wild case in the current outbreak, the deadly influenza virus is still here. This means that the virus is well adapted to them, and these birds do not typically get sick when they are infected with it. A wave of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu has entered Southern California, driven by wild bird migration. Avian Influenza | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - FWS.gov By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider The presence of the virus in the commercial food chain raises a number of possible trade headaches but so would using a vaccine to fight it. Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak - WHO If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Authorities immediately placed workers on the farm under quarantine restrictions. Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and wild birds (especially waterfowl). Here's what you need to know about the 2022 outbreak in the U.S.: The losses stretch across the U.S., and they're deepest in the country's middle: More than 1 million birds have been killed in each of 11 states that stretch from Utah to the Midwest and on to Delaware, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Though human infection is currently rare, efficient transmission between farmed minks in Spain raises concerns about potential human transmission. Saving Lives, Protecting People, 1 case in U.S. after exposure to infected birds, Human Infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Chile, Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H3N8) Virus Reported by China, Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses, If you have contact with infected birds and become sick, Clinician, laboratorian or public health worker, Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline 2020-2023, Avian Influenza: Information for Health Professionals and Laboratorians, USDA: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, USDA: Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America, Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses (cdc.gov), Human Infection With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Chile (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Wild Birds, Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Backyard and Commercial Birds, Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza, Spread of Bird Flu Viruses Between Animals and People, Past Examples of Probable Limited, Non-Sustained, Person-to-Person Spread of Avian Influenza A Viruses, Reported Human Infections with Avian Influenza A Viruses, Information for People Exposed to Birds Infected with Avian Influenza Viruses of Public Health Concern, Recommendations for Worker Protection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Self-Observation Instructions for Demobilizing Bird Flu Responders, Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza, Questions & Answers: H5N1 Genetic Change Inventory, Interim Guidance on Testing, Specimen Collection, and Processing for Patients with Suspected Infection with Novel Influenza A Viruses with the Potential to Cause Severe Disease in Humans, Diagnostics for Detecting H7N9 Using rRT-PCR, Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses, For Clinicians: Evaluating and Managing Patients, Use of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses, Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis of Persons Exposed to Birds with Avian Influenza A Viruses, Follow-up of Close Contacts of Persons Infected with Novel Influenza A Viruses and Use of Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.