Bird Flu - avian influenza (HPAI)

21 Nov 2024

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious viral infection primarily affecting birds, but it can also infect humans and other mammals such as cattle. With recent outbreaks in various parts of the world, it's important to understand how it spreads, and what steps we can take to protect ourselves and our livestock.

Bird flu refers to a variety of influenza viruses that primarily affect birds. There are different strains of bird flu, and the most notable among them are H5N1, H7N9, and H5N8. These viruses can range from mild to highly pathogenic, with the latter often causing severe disease in birds and, in some cases, human beings. Wild waterfowl, especially migratory birds, are known carriers of the virus. These birds can spread the disease to domestic poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys.

Bird flu spreads primarily through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings, feathers, and bodily fluids. In dairies it would appear that the virus is spreading amongst cattle via milking equipment and to humans by milk splashes so use of the correct PPE is essential.  

In the USA, over 650 herds have been infected with H5N1 in 2024, some dying but many suffering reduced milk production. In addition, over 100 million birds have been killed in backyard or commercial poultry since 2022, and 52 farm workers infected in 2024 either working on dairy farms or in culling operations on poultry farms. There has also been a recent outbreak in Cornwall of H5N1 in a poultry farm. This highlights the need to be vigilant and to be taking steps now to protect livestock.

While bird flu is rare in humans, it is possible to contract the virus by handling infected birds or consuming undercooked poultry products. However, person-to-person transmission is extremely uncommon. Given the virus has adapted to infect various mammals, the potential for the virus to mutate and acquire the ability to spread more easily between humans remains a serious concern for health authorities around the world.

Our range of biosecurity mats, disinfection pools, vehicle baths, cleaning stations, boot dips, sprayers and foaming disinfectant are designed to protect farms, dairies and other property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases such as Avian Flu H5N1, African Swine Fever etc.

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