The first infection of a native bird by the deadly H5N1 bird flu, days after confirming a migratory seabird had tested positive in the country’s first recorded case of the disease.

A swamp harrier hawk, known locally as a kahu and found in the North Island’s Wairarapa region, had been infected with the virus, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said in a statement.

New Zealand reported its first confirmed detection on Wednesday, in a brown skua found near Wellington.

“While it’s disappointing to find a native bird with H5 bird flu, it’s not unexpected following the confirmation earlier this week of our first case,” Hoggard said.

“This hawk can go out to the coast – especially in winter to hunt. Hawks can get bird flu by hunting, eating, or scavenging infected birds.”

There had been no detection of bird flu in poultry, he said.

Health officials have started a vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds from five of the country’s most endangered species, including flightless takahe and kakapo.

Earlier this month, Australia reported its first case of the disease in a local seabird. All previous cases had involved migratory birds. (CNA/ Reuters)

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A Grays Harbor resident in Washington State, USA, who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November, has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. 

According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.

The person is an older adult with underlying health conditions and remains hospitalized. The affected person has a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry at home that had exposure to wild birds. The domestic poultry or wild birds are the most likely source of virus exposure; however, a public health investigation is ongoing. 

The Washington State Department of Health is working with the local health department and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to complete exposure and animal health investigations.  

Public health disease experts have not identified any increased risk to the public.  

About Avian Influenza

Avian influenza is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses, which naturally occur in wild aquatic birds around the world. These viruses can infect other bird species, and, occasionally mammals, and can be deadly to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. On rare occasions, avian influenza viruses can infect people and make them sick. Most cases have occurred in people who were exposed to sick or infected animals. Reported human cases of avian influenza in the United States have ranged from mild to severe, with one fatality.

The risk of avian influenza increases in the fall and winter because migratory birds can carry the virus and spread it to domestic animals, including commercial poultry farms and backyard flocks.

Transmission of avian influenza between humans is extremely rare and has never been documented in the United States. To ensure that human-to-human spread is not occurring, public health officials are contacting anyone who has been in close contact with the patient to monitor for symptoms and provide testing and treatment as needed.

Public Health Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low. However, people who work with or have recreational contact with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals are at higher risk and should take precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant coveralls or other outerwear.

People with backyard poultry should avoid contact with sick or dead birds. Veterinarians should report sick or dead domestic animals or livestock suspected of having avian influenza to WSDA. Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, and report sick or dead wild birds or other animals. Never handle or allow pets near dead birds or other wildlife.

Avoid eating raw or undercooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, and don’t feed these products to pets.

It is especially important that people who may have exposure to sick birds get a seasonal flu vaccine. While the seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent bird flu infection, it reduces the risk of becoming sick with both human and avian influenza viruses at the same time. Though unlikely, infection with both viruses could result in the emergence of an avian influenza virus that is more easily transmitted from person to person. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. (Washington DOH)

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is calling for urgent regional efforts to combat a rise in avian influenza (Bird Flu) cases across the Asia-Pacific region. 

The appeal follows a consultation of regional experts in Bangkok, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Issuing a statement, the FAO said recent developments are alarming. After a prolonged period of minimal human infection, 13 new human cases have been reported in Cambodia, with additional cases in China and Vietnam since late 2023. 

The situation is further complicated by the emergence of a new variant of avian influenza, presenting new challenges for scientists, public health authorities, clinicians and communities alike.

Globally, the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has spread more widely geographically than ever before, reaching as far as South America and Antarctica. It has also begun infecting new wild and domestic animals, including scavenger species, marine mammals, carnivorous domestic pets, mammals farmed for fur and recently, farmed ruminants such as dairy cattle.

While the Greater Mekong Subregion, Indonesia and the Philippines are facing heightened scrutiny due to their diverse ecological landscapes and limited biosecurity measures, other regions also remain at risk. Notably, Thailand and Myanmar have not reported outbreaks in years. India, Nepal and Bangladesh are currently battling avian influenza outbreaks.

“The recent surge in avian influenza outbreaks is deeply concerning,” stated Kachen Wongsathapornchai, Regional Manager of FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD). “Since late 2023, we have observed a rise in human cases and the virus spreading to new animal species. The emergence of novel A/H5N1 strains, which are more easily transmissible, increases the pandemic threat. Immediate, coordinated preventive measures are essential.”

Critical Actions for Member Nations

FAO emphasizes the urgency of a unified response. Member Nations must work together to implement comprehensive surveillance systems, including full genome sequencing, to track the novel virus’s spread and evolution. Building capacity for rapid diagnostics and bioinformatics is crucial for analyzing virus data. Enhanced cross-sectoral data sharing is vital for a holistic approach to disease management.

Governments, international organizations and the private sector must collaborate and share information transparently and in a timely manner to devise effective containment strategies. Strengthening biosafety and biosecurity measures in the poultry industry is imperative, including vaccination strategies and promoting good farming practices. Creating awareness among health providers and the public is essential to reducing the risk of transmission from sick or dead poultry to humans and ensuring that people with symptoms receive timely treatment.

With USAID’s dedication and support to building and strengthening resilient health systems and communities, FAO is working with 13 Member Nations and partners in Asia and the Pacific to strengthen animal health and One Health capacities, aiming to enhance prevention, detection and response to health threats at the human-animal-environmental interface. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Health has assured that Sri Lanka is equipped to deal with a bird flu outbreak and has already taken necessary preventive measures in this regard.

Issuing a statement, the Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued any special public health announcement in this regard yet.

The ministry also said that the WHO has also not imposed any travel restrictions and is monitoring the situation.

The Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit and the Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka are conducting daily tests in 20 hospitals to detect cases of bird flu.

The ministry further said that the Virology Department of the Medical Research Institute was equipped with necessary PCR tests to detect H9, H7 and H5 bird flu cases. (Newswire)

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