PARIS (Reuters) – Gabon has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, for the first time since 2022 at a poultry market in the capital Libreville, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Friday.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has devastated poultry populations worldwide, resulting in widespread culling. Recently, it has also begun affecting mammals, such as cows in the United States.
Gabonese authorities reported detecting the virus in samples from the Mont Bouet poultry market in Libreville. This finding came as part of their avian influenza surveillance submitted to the Paris-based WOAH.
It noted that the samples identified as positive had been taken on birds from untraced farms, making traceback to the virus source impossible.
The detection of bird flu in Gabon underscores the ongoing global challenge of influenza surveillance and containment. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation to assess the strain’s virulence and its potential to evolve into a more severe outbreak.
Following the detection of bird flu, Gabonese health authorities have teamed up with international organizations to strengthen monitoring and control efforts.
Additionally, they are prioritizing public awareness campaigns on preventive measures and urging poultry farmers to adopt strict biosecurity measures.
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