The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that the highly infectious avian flu virus H5N1 has spread to an “unprecedented” scale, wiping out hundreds of millions of birds worldwide. The crisis is not only affecting bird populations but also spilling over into mammals and threatening food security.
FAO officials are calling for urgent action to strengthen biosecurity, surveillance, and rapid-response mechanisms to curb the outbreak. The economic impact is being felt globally, with record-high egg prices in the US and massive losses in domestic birds.
The FAO has launched a ten-year Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza, which aims to reduce the impact of avian influenza and protect both animal and human health. The organization is also seeking funding proposals under the Pandemic Fund to support disease surveillance, early warning systems, and health infrastructure.
The crisis highlights the need for collective action and innovation to address the threat of H5N1. FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi stressed that the challenge is not only to contain the virus but also to protect food production systems and ensure that millions relying on poultry for meat and eggs are protected.
Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1161186