May 16, 2025
Bulletin interne de l'Institut Pasteur
Avian influenza: a global epidemic under surveillance
Since 2022, the world has been grappling with a severe epizootic of avian influenza, affecting birds and sometimes also farmed mammals, primarily caused by the influenza A(H5N1) virus. Some sporadic cases have been observed in humans, but so far these have only been people who have come into close contact with infected animals. The H5N1 virus is circulating worldwide, except in Australia. And the notable event of this ongoing epidemic is the transmission of avian influenza to dairy cattle, confirmed by the WHO in May 2024. What exactly do we know about this disease? What measures are being taken to contain it? What is the Institut Pasteur doing? Read on to find out more.