Avian influenza reaches dairy cattle and the Antarctic mainland

The implications of the presence of avian influenza in cattle

The recent reports of avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States of America are concerning. While the disease primarily affects poultry and wild birds, it has been known to occasionally infect mammals, including humans. Such infections of cattle could indicate an increased risk of the viruses becoming better adapted to mammals, and potentially spilling over to humans and other livestock.?Meanwhile, studies are being carried out to better assess the situation.

High pathogenicity avian influenza in cattle: Our statement

Avian influenza reaches Antarctica's mainland

Since surfacing in Europe in 2021, the avian influenza virus has traversed continents, reaching North America in the same year, and South America by 2022. Most recently, it has extended its reach to Antarctic islands in 2023. However, the gravity of the situation intensifies as it infiltrates the northern tip of Antarctica's mainland.

Wildlife under threat as avian influenza eeaches Antarctica: Our statement

A call for action amid the escalating impact of antimicrobial resistance

In a new report , the Global Leaders Group (GLG) calls on political leaders to make specific commitments at the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to be held at the United Nations General Assembly on 26 September, 2024. The GLG report urges UN Member States to ensure that adequate, predictable, and sustainable financing is available from domestic and external sources to address AMR, including to tackle the dwindling research and development pipeline for new antibiotics.

Amid the escalating impact of antimicrobial resistance, the Global Leaders Group calls on UN Member States to take bold and specific action

EBO-SURSY Project’s seven-year impact on wildlife health in Africa?

After seven successful years, one of the Organisation's flagship projects, EBO-SURSY, comes to a close. Highlighting its significant impact on animal health, the project has produced a final impact report?? underscoring its commitment to improving everyone’s health. Partnered closely with ten countries in West and Central Africa, the project applied a One Health approach, strengthening national and regional early detection systems for zoonotic wildlife diseases.

EBO-SURSY Project’s seven-year impact on wildlife health in Africa?

WOAH in action

GF-TADs Meeting: Detection of HPAI in Ruminants and Humans in the USA

A meeting was convened at the detection of highly pathogenicity avian influenza cases in dairy cattle and goats in the United States of America, also linked to the detection of the virus in humans.

The recording of the meeting can be found at this link? Access code: LKg#9#wx

Upcoming: The Animal Health Forum at the 91st General Session

At WOAH's upcoming 91st General Session, this year's Animal Health Forum will present future scenarios related to animal health and welfare, explore WOAH's potential role in those future landscapes, and draw lessons from those futures to help with decision making about WOAH's Basic Texts.??

91st General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates: The Agenda

Applications for endorsement of countries' official control programme for dog-mediated rabies are now open

To support our Members in their rabies elimination efforts, we encourage national Veterinary Services to apply for an official review and endorsement of their national control programmes for dog-mediated rabies. Applications for endorsement are open until 9th August, 2024.

Why apply to have your official control programme endorsed?

New additions to your reading list

Avian Influenza Global Situation Report for 17 February to 15 March 2024

African Swine Fever Global Situation Report for 19 February to 10 March 2024

Accelerating action against antimicrobial resistance: closing the gaps in the animal health sector

WOAH in the news

Wider bird flu spread raises concern for humans, animal health body says from Reuters

Bird flu is decimating seal colonies. Scientists don't know how to stop it from AP

Belgium says free of bird flu in poultry from Reuters

Canada gives CAD 250,000 to boost safe food exports from developing economies from WTO

WOAH: Texas, Kansas cases of HPAI in cattle are similar from WATTPoultry

Avian flu outbreaks hit poultry in Japan, Philippines, Taiwan from WATTPoultry

Fewer avian flu cases detected across Europe from WATTPoultry

Europe Warns of ‘Lack of Immune Defenses’ Among Humans If Bird Flu Changes from NTD

Disease of the month: Avian influenza

Avian influenza, aka bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild birds. The disease has also been detected, on rare occasions, in mammals, including humans. Beyond its impacts on animal health, the disease has devastating effects on the poultry industry, threatening workers’ livelihoods, food security and international trade.

Learn more about the disease