FAO warns of worsening bird flu crisis as virus spreads globally

WORLD – The rapid spread of the highly contagious H5N1 avian flu has reached an alarming scale, killing hundreds of millions of birds worldwide and infecting an increasing number of mammals, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned.

During a meeting with member states, FAO officials called for urgent action to strengthen biosecurity, improve surveillance, and enhance rapid-response measures to limit the outbreak.

FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi cautioned that the crisis is already affecting food security, rural livelihoods, and economies, with rising consumer costs and disruptions in poultry supply chains.

With millions of people depending on poultry for food, containment efforts are focusing not only on stopping the virus but also on protecting production systems from further damage.

In the United States, egg prices hit record levels in February after farmers were forced to cull over 166 million birds due to avian flu, with more than 30 million additional losses reported this year.

FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol stressed the need for a globally coordinated response, stating that H5N1 is a transboundary threat no country can fight alone.

Global Strategy to Control Bird Flu

To address the ongoing crisis, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have launched a ten-year Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza.

Bechdol emphasized the importance of international cooperation, saying that joint efforts are essential to reduce the spread of the virus and protect both animal and human health.

Over the past four years, H5N1 has expanded to new regions, leading to severe losses in domestic poultry, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs of eggs and meat.

Since 2021, at least 300 additional wild bird species have been affected, raising growing concerns about biodiversity and environmental impact.

FAO has pledged to continue global monitoring, data sharing, and providing technical assistance to countries struggling with the outbreak.

Bechdol also highlighted the role of private-sector involvement in vaccine development, improved diagnostics, and enhanced animal health services.

USDA Allocates US$1 Billion to Fight Avian Flu

A few weeks before FAO’s warning, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a US$1 billion initiative to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and stabilize the poultry industry.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined the plan, which includes US$500 million for biosecurity measures, US$400 million in financial aid for farmers, and US$100 million for vaccine research and regulatory adjustments.

Rollins criticized past efforts by the Biden administration, stating they failed to prevent repeated outbreaks and the resulting spike in egg prices.

She said the Trump administration is determined to lower food prices and provide relief for farmers struggling with the crisis.

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