Avian Influenza Outbreak Sets Record

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website stated today stated this year's Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HAPI) outbreak has affected 46 states and led to the loss of over 52 million birds, surpassing the 2015 outbreak.

As of November 30, 2022, the USDA stated the Eurasian H5N1 strain first appeared in North America in January 2022 and has impacted various birds, bears, foxes, and water mammals this year. 

The HAPI outbreak has reached most areas in North America, South America, and the United Kindom.

Avian-origin influenza viruses are broadly categorized based on a combination of two groups of proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus: hemagglutinin or "H" proteins, of which there are 16 (H1-H16), and neuraminidase or "N" proteins, of which there are 9 (N1-N9).

Avian influenza viruses are classified as either "low pathogenic" or "highly pathogenic" based on their genetic features and the severity of the disease they cause in poultry.

Most viruses are of low pathogenicity, meaning they cause no signs or only minor clinical signs of infection in poultry.

Fortunately, only one human avian influenza case was confirmed in the U.S. this year.

From 2005 to date, 54 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) have been reported by China's Mainland health authorities.

The U.S. government has approved a vaccine for one type of avian influenza vaccine and could distribute Audenz™ if a person-to-person outbreak occurs.

The annual flu shots do not protect people against avian / pandemic influenza.

Additional avian influenza vaccine information is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.