“Alarm bell” experts say as the bird flu has spread, with cases being recorded for the first time in various regions of the world.

Bird flu has reached endemic proportions in some parts of the world as wild birds spread the virus to other poultry, according to veterinarians and disease experts, who warn that the disease is now a year-round problem.

The Reuters spoke to more than 20 experts and farmers on four continents, who said the virus’s prevalence in the wild signals that record outbreaks won’t abate soon on poultry farms, intensifying the risks it poses to the world’s food supply .

They warned that farmers must face the disease as one serious risk all year roundo, instead of focusing prevention efforts during migration periods for wild birds during the Spring period,

The outbreaks of the virus have spread to North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, with the conditions, from the heat of summer or the cold of winter, being more difficult to deal with.

All of this has been happening since a strain that was genetically similar to outbreaks in Europe and Asia arrived in the United States in early 2022.

On Wednesday, Argentina and Uruguay declared national health emergencies after officials confirmed the first infections in the countries.

Argentina found the virus in wild birdswhile dead swans in Uruguay were found to be positive.

Egg prices set a record after the disease last year wiped out tens of millions of hens, putting a key source of cheap protein out of reach for some of the world’s poorest at a time when the global economy is reeling from high inflation.

Wild birds are mainly responsible for spreading the virus, according to experts.

Waterfowl such as ducks can transmit the disease without dying to poultry through contaminated feces, saliva and other means.

Although the risk to humans currently remains low, it is not certain that this will remain so.

WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus stressed in a briefing that cases of H5N1 bird flu in mink, otters, foxes and sea lions reported in recent weeks should be closely monitored.

Both the E.U. and Mexico, as reported by Reuters, are considering the possibility of imposing mandatory vaccination against bird flu in poultry farms, however vaccination does not completely prevent infection or transmission of the bird flu virus.

How can it be transmitted to humans?

It is commonly referred to as bird flu influenza type A.

Although type A is adapted to birds, it can also be adapted and transmitted to the human body.

Influenza strains are divided into 2 types depending on their transmissibility, the highly transmissible or the less transmissible.

The most highly contagious strain is H5N1, which emerged in China in 1996.

Although the threat to humans is low, the CDC recommends avoiding direct contact with wild birds.

Summary actions of public health services on detection of birds infected with avian influenza

As stated by EODY, in order to protect the health of people who have come into contact with birds infected by the influenza virus (bird flu), the local Department of Public Health & Social Care in collaboration with the local Veterinary Service should:

A) Investigate/record all persons who came into contact with the infected birds and complete the “REGISTERING SHEET OF PERSONS EXPOSED TO INFECTED/SICK OR DEAD BIRDS WITH BIRD FLU”.

B) To inform the above persons that in case they show symptoms of influenza (fever >38° C, cough, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis) or even gastroenteritis within 10 days of the last contact they had with the infected birds:

They should immediately inform the local Public Health Service (Directorate of Public Health & Social Care) which will then inform the EODY, Department of Zoonotic Diseases, tel. 210-8899136, 210-8899045 (tel. 2105212054 for holidays or after hours).

Seek immediate clinical assessment. To make continuous use of an FFP2 (KN95) mask and to inform the hospital and the Doctor on arrival that they have come into contact with an infected bird with avian influenza. Confine themselves at home by minimizing movement even indoors until the bird flu virus is ruled out.

C) Immediately send to [email protected] the “REGISTRATION SHEET OF PERSONS EXPOSED TO INFECTED/SICK OR DEAD BIRDS WITH BIRD FLU” and send it again after 10 days have passed since the last contact of the exposed persons with the infected birds, then filling in the column concerning the final result.

When sending the report, observe the same rules that apply to the protection of personal data when sending/receiving mandatory disease reports (encryption software).