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Bird flu viruses

Bird flu viruses
Avian influenza - more commonly known as bird flu - is a disease caused by the influenza A virus. It is adapted to birds, but capable of crossing over to human beings, with the H5N1 variant being probably the best known. In 2023, the H3N8 variant killed a woman in China - making her the first person to die of this strain.
A polar bear bear walks on the sea ice near glaciers on the Svalbard archipelago in April 2025. Photo: AFP
Animals

Norway reports Europe’s first case of bird flu in a polar bear

The H5N5 variant was also found in a walrus found about 1,000km from the North Pole, and is thought to be the likely cause of death.

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Disease

Bird flu could risk pandemic ‘worse than Covid’ if it mutates

Disease

What killed hundreds of seals? Bird flu spread raises fears, questions

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil urges China to limit chicken embargo to city with bird flu outbreak

China, a major consumer of Brazilian poultry, immediately suspended imports after the country reported a bird flu outbreak last week.

Chicken vendors work in a market in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Brazil

Brazil confirms bird flu outbreak, sparking China shipments ban

The South American nation exported US$10 billion of chicken meat last year, accounting for about 35 per cent of global trade.

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Disease

US reports first outbreak of deadly H7N9 bird flu since 2017

The virus, which has a high fatality rate in humans, was detected at a Mississippi poultry farm.

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United States

US asks Denmark for eggs as prices soar: how many can you send?

The request comes amid demands from Trump that Denmark hand over Greenland, as well as new tariffs on the EU and other countries.

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A customer shops for eggs at a grocery store in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Disease

People can spread bird flu to their cats, US study suggests

Two house cats died after contracting bird flu in the homes of dairy workers, suggesting a viral change.

Donald Trump

Trump’s health pick RFK Jnr grilled over vaccines and abortion in US Senate

Kennedy has made false claims about Covid jabs and is known for controversial stances on Aids and the role of germs in disease.

Britain

UK has ‘rare’ human case of bird flu; US reports first H5N9 outbreak in poultry

The two instances raise concerns about the spread of bird flu.

Day-old duck hatchlings crawl around inside an incubator at Crescent Duck Farm, in Aquebogue, New York. Photo: AP
Disease

US records its first human death from bird flu

The 65-year-old patient had underlying conditions and was infected by exposure to sick and dead birds.

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Since March, 66 confirmed bird flu infections have been reported in the US. File photo: Reuters
Pets in Hong Kong

Letters | Two measures to help improve cat health in Hong Kong

Readers discuss cat owners’ concerns, how to make the transport subsidy more affordable, and ambulance services.

United States

US allocates US$306 million in new bird flu funding before Trump takes office

US has reported 66 human cases of bird flu since the start of 2024, though experts believe the true number could be higher.

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Disease

‘Worrisome’ mutations found in H5N1 bird flu virus isolated from Canadian teen

A Canadian teenager has fully recovered from H5N1 bird flu, but genetic analysis revealed concerning mutations in the virus.

This colourised electron microscope image shows avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (yellow). File photo: CDC/NIAID via AP
Disease

New bird flu mutation discovered in US as cat infections cause alarm

A cat in Oregon died after eating raw pet food confirmed to be contaminated with H5N1, prompting recall of a Northwest Naturals’ product.

A test tube labelled “bird flu”. Bird flu continues to spread in the US and now it is infecting cats. Photo: Reuters / Dado Ruvic / Illustration / File Photo
United States

First severe human case of bird flu in US sparks alarm

Louisiana case, along with a recent severe case in Canada, has heightened concerns about a potential bird flu pandemic.

Disease

Video | How close is the next pandemic?

China’s top infectious disease expert says a strain of avian influenza virus is adapting and could make the leap from birds to mammals

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Science

How close is the next pandemic? Chinese researchers have new clues

China’s top infectious disease expert says a strain of avian influenza virus is adapting and could make the leap from birds to mammals.

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A study led by China’s top virologist has raised concerns that a strain of the virus H2N2 recently found in the wild now has the ability to infect humans. Photo: Reuters
Canada

Teen in critical condition with Canada’s first presumptive human case of bird flu

Officials are trying to figure out how the teen – who had no farm exposure – was infected.

Disease

US spots 1st H5N1 bird flu case in a pig, raising concern for humans

There is concern that hybrid viruses can emerge from pigs with characteristics that allow them to infect humans more easily.

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Australia

‘Ensure there’s eggs’: Bird flu hits McDonald’s breakfasts in Australia

McDonald’s Australia has cut breakfast service by 1-1/2 hours, the company said, after a shortage of eggs caused by bird flu outbreaks led to the slaughter of about 1.5 million chickens.

A man eat breakfast at a McDonald’s restaurant. McDonald’s Australia has cut breakfast service by 1-1/2 hours, after a shortage of eggs caused by bird flu outbreaks .Photo: Shutterstock
Disease

WHO confirms first fatal human case of bird flu A(H5N2) subtype

The victim, a 59-year-old Mexico resident, had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals.

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The WHO said the current risk of bird flu virus to the general population is low. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hongkongers warned over touching wild birds amid possible H5 avian flu mutation

Ivan Hung of University of Hong Kong says signs of mutation in H5N1 bird flu virus could make mammals more likely to be infected than before.

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World Health Organization (WHO)

H5N1 strain of bird flu found in milk from infected cows, WHO says

Cows and goats – previously thought not susceptible – have joined the list of infected animals, and a US farmworker has caught the disease after exposure to cattle.

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World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO says human cases of bird flu ‘an enormous concern’

The World Health Organization voiced alarm at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an ‘extraordinarily high’ mortality rate.

Researchers wearing protective suits collect samples of wildlife, where the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected, at Chilean Antarctic Territory, Antarctica. Photo: Instituto Antartico Chileno via Reuters
United States

US records second-ever human bird flu case, concerns over global strain

Infected person is recovering from virus after being exposed to dairy cattle. Disease has sickened herds in Texas, Kansas and other states in recent days.

Herds of cows in US states including Texas and Kansas have tested positive for bird flu in recent days. Photo: AP
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong halts poultry meat imports from parts of US, UK, Poland over bird flu

Centre for Food Safety says it has instructed traders to suspend import of poultry meat and products from relevant areas with immediate effect.

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil scrambles to isolate bird flu virus that killed 900 seals, sea lions

In addition to outbreaks in birds, seals and sea lions, officials have collected samples of dead porpoises and penguins found on beaches, with no confirmed results.

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