H5N1 Avian Flu Spreads Globally: Over 50 Countries Affected, Mammalian Transmission Raises International Health Concerns cover art

H5N1 Avian Flu Spreads Globally: Over 50 Countries Affected, Mammalian Transmission Raises International Health Concerns

H5N1 Avian Flu Spreads Globally: Over 50 Countries Affected, Mammalian Transmission Raises International Health Concerns

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 # H5N1 Global Scan: Avian Flu Worldwide

Welcome to H5N1 Global Scan, where we examine the worldwide impact of avian influenza. I'm your host, and today we're exploring how this virus is reshaping global health, trade, and international cooperation.

Since 2003, the World Health Organization reports that more than 880 sporadic human infections with H5N1 have been confirmed globally, with a case-fatality rate of 48 percent across 25 countries. While these numbers may seem modest, the virus's reach tells a different story.

Let's start with the continental breakdown. In the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization reports that since 2022, 75 human infections have occurred, with two deaths. In 2025 alone, the United States recorded three cases and Mexico reported one case, along with additional variants including the first global case of H5N5 in the United States. Across Europe, Africa, and Asia, highly pathogenic avian influenza continues spreading through wild and domestic bird populations. According to global surveillance data current through February 12, 2026, H5N1 has been documented in over 50 countries, from Iceland to Indonesia, with recent detections in Brazil, Nigeria, and throughout Eastern Europe.

The predominant threat is Clade 2.3.4.4b, which has circulated since 2021 and now extends across three continents, affecting mammals alongside birds. The Pan American Health Organization notes that mammalian outbreaks have been identified in multiple regions, signaling that the virus has escaped its traditional poultry sector boundaries.

International coordination remains critical. The Pan American Health Organization, working with the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization, urges countries to strengthen animal and human surveillance, reinforce biosecurity protocols, and enhance intersectoral coordination. These agencies emphasize monitoring high-risk populations including farm workers, veterinarians, poultry farmers, and wildlife management personnel for early clinical signs such as respiratory illness, conjunctivitis, or neurological symptoms.

Regarding vaccine development, global progress remains limited. While multiple countries fund research initiatives, no widely distributed human H5N1 vaccine currently exists. Existing pandemic preparedness protocols focus on rapid vaccine adaptation rather than deployed immunity.

National approaches vary significantly. The United States CDC has monitored over 31,900 people exposed to infected animals since March 2024, testing approximately 1,020 individuals. The country reported 71 confirmed and probable human cases since 2024, primarily linked to dairy herd exposures. European nations have implemented strict biosecurity measures and animal surveillance networks, while Asian countries endemic to H5N1 maintain longstanding monitoring systems.

Cross-border trade impacts remain substantial. Poultry restrictions affect international commerce, with countries implementing import bans on birds and bird products from affected regions. Wild bird migration patterns complicate containment, as infected waterfowl cross national boundaries, introducing the virus to new territories.

The Pan American Health Organization reports that 19 countries and territories have documented over 5,100 animal outbreaks since 2022, with 73 additional outbreaks recorded since mid-October 2025. These figures underscore that avian influenza remains fundamentally a zoonotic challenge requiring sustained international attention.

Thank you for tuning in to H5N1 Global Scan. Join us next week for more global health insights. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.

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