In the midst of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, another virus reported in Europe, this time being carried by birds and is now threatening African countries.
Twelve countries in Europe as of 22 November 2020 reported a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 outbreak in wild birds and poultry according to the African Union.
The AU that while this particular virus has not caused illness in humans to date, the likelihood of a spill-over event that could impact human health should not be ignored.
The HPAI virus is of the H5 evolutionary group that has been circulating in Eurasia and into Africa since 2016.
Migratory birds have carried the virus across from Southern Russia to Kazakhstan, and now Eastern Europe through migratory birds heading back to their winter feeding grounds primarily in Africa.
The AU notification reads, “As these are migratory birds, and even poultry flocks or products, coming into Africa from the affected regions could be carrying the virus, this poses a threat to poultry flock health, farmer livelihoods, and food security on the continent.”
“While the original virus has reassorted with other wild bird influenza viruses to form new strains of H5N5 and H5N1 HPAI virus, no evidence of spillover of this clade into human populations has been detected.
“However, direct transmission from an infected bird or through another infected animal reservoir, while rare, is possible,” the African Union notification reads.
The H5 has impacted at least 15 African countries in all regional groupings over the past five years.
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports show that currently Nigeria and South Africa are the only two countries reporting ongoing H5 outbreaks this year.
Zimbabwe reported of the H5N8 virus in 2017.
The first report regarding the current outbreak came from southern Russian in late July.
Africa CDC is expected to continue routine event-based surveillance activities to monitor for bird die-offs and reports of flu.
The AU says, “We will provide additional alerts to Member States as the situation evolves or if current recommendations change.”
