Norway and Finland are experiencing a record-breaking outbreak of bird flu (avian influenza) this year, which has resulted in the death of thousands of birds, especially seagulls, and threatens livestock. This outbreak has also led to travel restrictions in certain areas. Over the past few years, bird flu has been common across Europe, causing the culling of millions of birds on French farms alone and affecting the supply of poultry and eggs. In Norway’s Arctic town of Vadso, officials have collected more than 10,000 dead birds.
The bird flu strain known as H5N1, which has been spreading among poultry and wild birds for years, has now started to affect mammals like cats, minks, and otters. Finland has also reported that the H5N1 strain has been found in 20 fur farms, and they believe it’s spreading especially among seagulls.
Although the World Health Organization has said that the risk to humans from H5N1 remains low, it’s closely monitoring reports of infections in mammals. Three United Nations agencies have also expressed concern about the potential for the virus to adapt and infect humans more easily, calling on countries to increase disease surveillance and improve hygiene at poultry farms.
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