Will the spring migration of migratory birds increase the risk of spreading avian influenza?

February to May every year is the time of spring when flowers bloom. It is also the time when migratory birds migrate from their wintering grounds to their breeding grounds on a large scale. Unlike the relatively slow migration in autumn, when migratory birds stop along the way to forage and store energy to better survive the long winter, adult birds at this time are usually more eager to migrate in order to reach their breeding grounds as soon as possible to compete for resources and mates. So the question is: Does the large-scale long-distance migration of migratory birds increase the risk of avian influenza transmission? Of course! There is a close correlation between bird migration and the spread of avian influenza. The following are the main impacts and mechanisms:

Image source: Pixabay

1. The role of bird migration

Long-distance transmission: Migratory birds cross multiple regions during migration and may quickly bring the virus to new areas, causing jump-type transmission in multiple locations.

Virus spread: Stopover points along migration routes become nodes for virus transmission, affecting local birds and other animals and spreading rapidly.

2. Transmission mechanism of avian influenza virus

Carrying and excretion: Migratory birds can excrete viruses through feces, saliva, etc., contaminating water sources and soil.

Interspecies transmission: The virus can be transmitted between different bird species and may also infect poultry and mammals, including humans.

3. Influencing factors

Environmental conditions: Temperature, humidity, etc. affect virus survival and transmission.

Bird density: High-density habitats increase the risk of virus transmission.

Human activities: Agriculture and urbanization change bird habitats and affect virus transmission pathways.

4. Prevention and control measures

Monitoring and early warning: Strengthen monitoring of migration routes and habitats to detect epidemics in a timely manner.

Biosecurity: Improve the biosecurity level of poultry farms and reduce contact with wild birds.

Public Education: Raise public awareness of avian influenza and reduce the risk of exposure and transmission.

Timely reporting: If you find dead birds, try not to have unprotected close contact with the environment or dead birds with a large number of dead birds. Report to the local animal disease prevention and control center or animal husbandry and veterinary department in a timely manner. If necessary, report to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at the same time. Dead birds should be sampled and tested in time and disposed of harmlessly as soon as possible to avoid the rapid spread of the epidemic due to untimely handling.

Image source: Pixabay

5. Research and collaboration

Scientific research: In-depth study of virus transmission mechanisms and bird migration patterns.

International cooperation: Strengthen cross-border cooperation, share information and resources, and jointly respond to the epidemic.

in conclusion

Bird migration is an important route of avian influenza transmission, and effective prevention and control of the epidemic is required through monitoring, biosafety and international cooperation.

Source: Chongqing Science Writers Association

Author: Zou Jingbo, Chief Technician of Mr. Zou's Science Garden, and Chen Shuang, Deputy Chief Technician of Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Audit expert: Li Hanbin

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