Outbreaks of bird flu in mammals doubled in 2024 with other diseases spreading and putting more humans at risk, says a new report on animal health. The first assessment published by the World Organization for Animal Health revealed animal diseases were migrating into unaffected areas. Half (47 percent) of these have animal-to-human potential.
In 2023, there were 459 outbreaks of bird flu recorded in mammals, but that number climbed to 1,022 across 55 countries a year later. The expanding animal trade and a five percent reduction in livestock vaccinations between 2020 and 2022 contributed to the rise. The spread, prevalence and impact of infectious animal diseases is changing, bringing new challenges for agriculture and food security, human health and development, and natural ecosystems. More than 630 million birds have been culled across two decades during bird flu outbreaks.
While the risk to humans remains low, more mammalian species that become infected – such as cattle, cats and dogs – the greater the risk of transmission to humans.
