Bird Flu Surge in Europe Sparks Concerns of Repeated Crises

Bird flu is rapidly spreading across Europe, marking the highest early season outbreaks in over a decade. With 56 outbreaks in 10 EU countries so far, the situation raises alarms of past crises involving mass culling and increased food prices. Authorities are responding with preventive measures, and monitoring remains crucial.

Europe faces a troubling escalation of bird flu cases, with early season outbreaks hitting numbers not seen in over a decade. Ten European Union countries, along with Britain, report a total of 56 outbreaks, highlighting urgent fears resonant of past crises that significantly impacted food supply and prices.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is spreading as migratory wild birds traverse the continent, posing severe risks to poultry industries and raising alarms about potential pandemics. Major producers like Poland, Spain, and Germany are among the hardest hit. Recent cases in Belgium and Slovakia have precipitated government mandates to confine poultry indoors, a preventative measure echoed in France.

While human risk remains low, vigilance persists as the virus shows a tendency to jump species, affecting mammals. Furthermore, global repercussions are evident with over 180 million birds culled in the U.S. The World Health Organisation advises close monitoring, particularly as France rolls out its third annual duck vaccination campaign, a significant step in curtailing further virus spread.

(With inputs from agencies.)