Global Bird Flu Surges Across US, Canada, Asia Prompting Calls for Enhanced Surveillance

The global threat of avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 and H5N9 strains, is prompting urgent calls for enhanced surveillance, biosecurity, and preparedness to prevent a potential pandemic. The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office has emphasized strengthening specimen management and collaboration among National Influenza Centers to improve influenza surveillance quality, while regions like Ilocos Norte in the Philippines are implementing proactive biosecurity measures to prevent H5N9 entry. In the US, 70 human cases of H5N1 have been reported with one fatality, and experts warn that the virus's high mutation rate could enable human-to-human transmission, raising pandemic concerns. The Global Virus Network urges governments to intensify monitoring and response measures, highlighting the virus's spread across all US states and its impact on animal and human health. Severe influenza continues to pose a persistent risk, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and straining healthcare systems, underscoring the need for innovative approaches in treatment and prevention. Overall, the situation demands coordinated global action, combining surveillance, biosecurity, and clinical readiness to mitigate the escalating threat of bird flu.