Bird flu continues spreading as new outbreaks hit Liberia

LIBERIA – Liberia has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza on a commercial poultry farm, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has said.

According to data submitted by Liberian authorities, the outbreak occurred in February at a facility located in Bong County.

The virus reportedly led to the deaths of 18 birds from a flock of 26,000 before the outbreak was detected.

The remaining birds are being monitored as part of ongoing containment efforts to stop further spread.

India hit by multiple outbreaks

Meanwhile, India is grappling with several H5N1 outbreaks in the state of Andhra Pradesh, also reported by WOAH.

Eight outbreaks were confirmed towards the end of March, affecting both industrial poultry operations and birds kept in household settings.

Authorities have indicated that about 602,000 birds have either succumbed to the disease or were killed as part of control measures.

These figures reflect the severe impact the virus continues to have on the poultry sector globally.

Cross-species transmission raises concern

In the United Kingdom, health officials have confirmed a case of H5N1 in a sheep in Yorkshire—the first time the virus has been detected in this species.

The animal tested positive during routine testing on a farm that had previously experienced bird flu among its poultry.

No additional infections were found in the rest of the flock, and the infected sheep was culled as a precautionary measure.

The case has heightened concerns over the possibility of cross-species transmission, which scientists are closely monitoring.

France eases restrictions after progress

While new cases emerge elsewhere, France has begun relaxing certain restrictions due to declining infection rates.

At the end of March, French authorities lifted the nationwide order requiring poultry to be kept indoors.

Officials attributed the reduced risk to a vaccination campaign that began in 2023, targeting duck farms, which are especially vulnerable to H5N1.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard told lawmakers that the initiative helped the country regain its bird flu-free status.

As the risk level has been reclassified as moderate, outdoor farming for ducks is now permitted again.

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