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health22h ago
Virus has killed almost 9 million birds ― and counting – DW – 12/01/2025
- The 2025 outbreak is centered on the 2.3.4.4b H5N1 clade, triggering large-scale poultry culls worldwide.
- About nine million poultry birds have been culled since October as Germany, the US and Canada confront farm and wild-bird outbreaks.
- Human risk remains low for now, despite isolated cases and a few fatalities in the US.
- Experts urge strong biosecurity and international information sharing to prevent further spread.
- Migratory birds are blamed for spreading the virus across continents and farms.
- Outbreaks have reached multiple continents, including remote territories like Heard Island.
- Wildlife and farm animals are affected, with mammals like seals, dolphins and cranes impacted.
- Germany faced an early start to the bird flu season, triggered by migrating cranes from Sweden.
- Officials emphasize the need for surveillance and testing to curb transmission and mutations.
- Experts warn that if biosecurity lapses occur, the virus could evolve to transmit more easily to humans.
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