Expressing concerns over the wide spread of H5N1 avian flu, the World Health Organization (WHO) has asked for a stronger surveillance for humans and animals.
WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said in an online press conference on November 29, 2024, that the world is seeing epizootic cases of avian flu infections from H5N1 strain that are spreading in poultry, wild birds, livestock and marine mammals.
She also noted the 55 animal-to-human cases reported in the United States this year. “What we really need globally, in the US and abroad, is much stronger surveillance in animals, in wild birds, in poultry, in animals that are known to be susceptible to infection,” she said.
Kerkhove underlined the need for stricter surveillance of infections found in swine. She said there is a need to put stronger efforts to reduce the risks to new animals, species and humans.
The US agricultural department reported the presence of the virus in a farm backyard pig from Oregon.
Kerkhove said the global health agency is in touch with partner agencies such as the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization to assist in surveillance of animals.
“For us at the WHO we are always in a constant state of readiness as it relates to influenza, because it isn’t a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” Kerkhove added.
The epidemiologist also called for more vigilance, collaboration and transparency as well as and robust risk assessment to prevent the next pandemic.
She said the current risk to the general population for avian influenza remains low globally and low to moderate for workers who closely work with cattle and poultry.
As of November 27, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported infections in 675 dairy herds in 15 states with poultry outbreaks in 49 states with over 111 million birds affected.