The UN Food Agency warned that the ongoing spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus is an unprecedented food security risk requiring a coordinated global response.
At a briefing held on Monday, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) cited the loss of poultry to hundreds of millions of people around the world and increased ripples to mammals as important concerns stemming from the spread of H5N1 avian influenza.
The agency noted that there have been significant changes in the geographical spread of avian influenza over the past four years, with at least 300 newly affected wild bird species since 2021.
FAO Deputy Director Godfrey Magwenzi calls the unprecedented spread, calling for “the country's food security and food supply, including valuable nutrition, loss of rural employment and income, shock to the local economy and of course increased costs to consumers.”
“The chain is only as strong as its weakest link. By working together, we can reduce the impact of bird flu and protect both animal and human health locally and globally,” said Beth Beth Bethdol, deputy director of FAO.
The agency has called on the country to strengthen its avian flu surveillance and reporting. Improve lab capacity. Development and implementation of preparatory plans. Consider vaccinating responses. Promote risk management through biosecurity.
There are currently 70 bird flu cases across the country, including 41 herds of cattle, 24 chicken farms and culling operations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With zoological diseases, no cases of human-to-human infection have been reported to date, and the risk to the general public remains low.
Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture announced a Plan They will invest $1 billion to fight the bird flu and lower the price of eggs.
In Mississippi, highly pathogenic avian flu strains have been reported in commercial flocks that have not been seen in the US since 2017. This occurrence is thought to be unrelated to the current H5N1 spread.
The disease is believed to have skyrocketed egg prices, and the restaurant has begun implementing additional charges for egg dishes. But the Department of Justice is Reportedly, the investigation Whether major egg producers are conspired to raise prices while using the avian flu situation as a cover.
