PAHO urges vigilance as avian flu continues to circulate in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging countries across the Americas to strengthen surveillance for avian influenza as the virus continues to circulate among birds and mammals, despite a decline in animal outbreaks and no reported human cases in the region so far this year.

In an epidemiological update issued this week, PAHO said 10 countries reported 455 outbreaks of avian influenza A(H5) in animals between January and July 15, including 386 outbreaks among birds and 69 among mammals.

The figure represents a 25.7% decline from the 612 outbreaks recorded during the same period in 2025. The decrease was particularly significant among mammals, with reported outbreaks falling nearly 65%, from 196 last year to 69 this year.

However, PAHO cautioned that the continued circulation of the virus means countries should remain vigilant and strengthen coordination across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.

No human cases of avian influenza A(H5) have been reported in the Americas so far in 2026, according to PAHO.

Between 2022 and the end of 2025, 75 human infections caused by A(H5) viruses were recorded in five countries in the region — Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and the United States. The most recent human case in the Americas was reported in November 2025.

Globally, 1,002 laboratory-confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) were reported across 25 countries between 2003 and Aug. 7, 2026, including 479 deaths.

Nine human cases, including two deaths, have been reported worldwide so far this year.

PAHO said available scientific evidence has not demonstrated sustained person-to-person transmission. Most human infections worldwide have been associated with direct or indirect exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments.

The virus, however, continues to spread among animals globally. Between October 2025 and July 2026, detections increased significantly among wild birds, particularly in Europe. New detections in Australia and New Zealand have also expanded the virus's known geographic reach.

A joint assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health maintains that the overall global public health risk remains low. The risk is considered low to moderate for people who have occupational or frequent exposure to potentially infected animals.

PAHO is recommending increased surveillance among higher-risk groups, including poultry workers, veterinarians, laboratory personnel and rural producers.

Countries are also being urged to strengthen biosecurity at animal production facilities, expand genomic surveillance to identify changes in the virus and rapidly investigate and report suspected cases and new outbreaks.

People exposed to infected animals should be monitored for 14 days following their last exposure for symptoms consistent with the disease, PAHO said.

The organization stressed that there is no evidence that avian influenza can be transmitted by eating properly cooked poultry, eggs or other poultry products. It also reiterated recommendations that people consume pasteurized rather than raw milk to minimize potential health risks.