Bird flu (avian influenza) continues to spread across multiple continents even as the world’s attention is fixed on Covid-19, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is warning.

Experts are now warning that at least 75 per cent of new human diseases emerge from animals highlighting the threat posed to public health worldwide.

The disease spreads from wild birds to chickens (pictured) and then jumps to humans.

Researchers believe that while there is little that can be done to limit wild birds’ contact with their domesticated relatives, limiting the spread of the diseases from poultry to humans is critical.

For instance, even with the widespread of diseases among chickens in the United Kingdom, only one case of avian influenza has been reported in humans. Since 2003, at least 456 people have died from avian influenza.

The UK government has effectively been combatting the disease with clear communications to farmers and robust biosecurity measures.

Researchers at ILRI believe that chronic underinvestment in animal health systems in many parts of the world means that bird flu may go undetected and uncontrolled.

Millions of domestic birds will have to be killed, resulting in economic losses for small scale farmers who depend on animals for their livelihoods.

“Where there is no compensation for farmers, diseased birds will not be reported and will continue to be traded and moved around the country,” observed Dr Klara Saville, a researcher at ILRI.

She says to recoup potential losses, people may kill and eat sick birds – which are a risk to human health.

Researchers are now calling for more veterinary services to enable us to detect and stop viruses to protect people and animals around the world.

This means more well-trained veterinary professionals with access to quality medicines and vaccines in the remotest parts of the world.

Better disease surveillance and data sharing across countries will help scientists see the full picture of constantly mutating viruses and respond before it’s too late.

This year, governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) will negotiate a historic treaty to protect the world from future pandemics.

“Governments need to recognise the urgent need to prevent pandemics at their source. The solution is investing in weak animal health systems in low- and middle-income countries,” she said.