A deadly strain of avian influenza (H7N9), which has a fatality rate of 40% when transmitted to humans, has emerged for the first time in 8 years.
The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) reported on the 17th that H7N9 cases were confirmed at a commercial broiler farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, USA. This farm houses 47,654 broiler chickens.
Currently, the avian influenza that is prevalent worldwide is H5N1. It has caused widespread outbreaks in the United States leading to mass culling of chickens and increased egg prices. H5N1 has also been transmitted to mammals, resulting in fatalities in the United States.
However, it is not comparable to the recently emerged H7N9. Since its discovery in 2013, approximately 40% of those infected with H7N9 have died. It is a deadly virus with a fatality rate of 40%. It had disappeared in the United States since 2017 but has re-emerged after 8 years.
WOAH noted that "culling is underway at the farm where H7N9 was detected" and stated that "they are conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced monitoring in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture."