The **[avian flu](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/alerta-por-gripe-aviar-en-washington-murieron-mas-de-la-mitad-de-los-grandes-felinos-de-un-santuario/)** is a condition that continues to worry, mainly producers, around the world. Recently, it was revealed that there are new species of birds contracting the virus, both in America and Europe.
From **pelicans to peregrine falcons**, showing how the disease is also spreading in Asia and Africa.
This pattern, identified in a new study, could be a clue as to why the culling of domestic birds **did not stop the most recent outbreak**.
## Avian flu: new carriers on two continents
The study shows the **important role** played by a greater variety of **wild birds**, both as victims and **vectors of disease spread**.
The findings point to the need to review how avian influenza is monitored and treated in birds, both wild and domestic, to **better protect human health**.
Currently, the major outbreaks of avian influenza are located in **Europe and America**, rather than Southeast Asia as in the **1990s**, according to the study. But not only is the location different, but also the temporal pattern of the disease.
## Could it become a human pandemic?
“We know that **H5N1** has the potential to become a human pandemic, and the risk of this happening is greater than ever,” warned **Raina MacIntyre**, an epidemiologist at the University of New South Wales and co-author of the study.
MacIntyre has studied the disease for over 30 years. “We need to thoroughly understand **how it spreads, the role of newly infected species**, and what this implies in terms of risks. This gives us a better chance to mitigate such risks,” she added.
The study was published in *GeoHealth*, which investigates the intersection of human health and **planetary health for a sustainable future**.
MacIntyre and her colleagues wanted to determine when and where outbreaks occurred, which species were affected, and where they flew to.
Researchers used machine learning to track H5N1 outbreaks and virus spread from **1997 to 2023**.
They combined data from wild birds and poultry farms to assess when and where both groups mixed, presenting the first comprehensive analysis of avian flu spread in recent decades.
They highlighted **new species and migratory routes** that are vectors of spread.
## Migration and spread
Birds migrate long distances using avian superhighways, called migratory routes, that cross the planet and have convenient stopover points for tired birds.
There, **bird species mix and interact**, even with poultry. It is a perfect breeding ground for the evolution of the H5N1 virus.
Historically, **ducks, geese, and swans** were the main wild birds responsible for transmitting H5N1, but they were considered victims of infected poultry rather than responsible.
However, the global spread of H5N1 and changes in outbreaks have cast doubt on this assumption.
## Symptoms
According to the **American Veterinary Medical Association**, symptoms include:
– Low energy
– Swelling of body parts
– Lack of coordination
– Diarrhea in pet birds
– Cats and dogs may experience **fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite**, among other symptoms
## Avian Flu: prevention measures
– **Frequent hand washing** with soap and water, or use of alcohol-based disinfectants
– Avoid direct contact with wild birds.
– Do not have unprotected contact with poultry that appear to be sick or dead.
– Do not touch surfaces that could be contaminated with saliva, mucus, or feces from wild or poultry birds.
– Currently, there are no restrictions on traveling to areas affected by avian influenza. However, it is advisable to take necessary prevention measures to avoid the risk of contracting the disease.
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