Breaking the spread of avian flu: new tools for faster detection
The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
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August 22 2025
The A(H5N1) avian flu is a highly contagious bird disease that has already infected millions of birds and is now appearing in some mammals.
It is spreading rapidly around the world, leading to mass culling of hens in poultry farms due to its highly contagious and deadly nature. This has resulted in significant disruptions to the global poultry industry, with examples including soaring egg prices in the US.
Avian flu is causing concern as it can cross the species barrier and infect mammals, including cows, cats and humans. Although it hasn’t spread between people, its ability to infect mammals raises public health concerns and calls for increased monitoring.
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