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FAO alert on avian influenza

Risk of upsurge and regional spread through wild birds in Latin America and the Caribbean








FAO. 2024. FAO alert on avian influenza – Risk of upsurge and regional spread through wild birds in Latin America and the Caribbean. Rome.



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    Booklet
    Updated joint FAO/WHO/WOAH public health assessment of recent influenza A(H5) virus events in animals and people
    Assessment based on data as of 18 November 2024
    2024
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    During 2020, high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses arose from previously circulating influenza A(H5Nx) viruses and spread predominantly via migratory birds to many parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. This epizootic event has led to unprecedented numbers of deaths in wild birds and caused outbreaks in poultry. In late 2021, these viruses crossed the Atlantic Ocean to North America and subsequently reached South America in October 2022. Over the past few years, there have been increased detections of A(H5N1) viruses in non-avian species globally including wild and domestic (companion and farmed) terrestrial and marine mammals, with recent cases in livestock in the United States of America. The majority of A(H5N1) viruses characterized genetically since 2020 belong to the haemagglutinin (HA) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b, with some regional exceptions. Since the last joint assessment of August 2024, at least 33 additional human cases of infection with A(H5) viruses have been reported. Of these, 30 were reported from the USA.FAO, WHO, and WOAH jointly updated their assessment of the risk of zoonotic transmission (i.e., animal to human) considering additional information made available since the previous assessment of 14 August 2024. This update is limited to the inclusion of additional information being made available globally. Due to the potential risk to human health and the far-reaching implications of the disease on the health of wild bird and other animal populations, the use of a One Health approach is essential to tackle avian influenza effectively, to monitor virus circulation, to prevent within species transmission and to prevent human infections from exposure to animals.
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    Booklet
    FAO rapid qualitative risk assessment
    Risk of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza introduction in Central and South America and the Caribbean
    2023
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    The assessment is based on the identification of main risk pathways for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) introduction, including informal/formal trade of live poultry and their products, and wild bird movements. A questionnaire was disseminated to Veterinary Services to collect data on HPAI risk factors and assess national capacities for HPAI surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, and control. Five levels from negligible to high were used to determine the likelihood of introduction, and a consequence assessment was conducted on potential impacts on the poultry value chain, avifauna, and public health. The assessment also considered the level of uncertainty related to data availability, quality and quantity. FAO will use information from the assessment to provide targeted capacity building support to countries/territories for enhanced HPAI preparedness, prevention, and control.

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