Bangkok, Thailand – 27 September 2024 : The outbreak of H5N1 bird flu from October 2021 represents one of the worst threats in history. More than 280 million birds have died. Endangered wildlife and mammals are also victims of this deadly disease. Even more worrying is the risk of the virus spreading to humans. Sinergia Animal, a leading global animal protection organization, It is seen that the main cause of this crisis is the system of raising animals in large industrial farms. That is often crowded and unhygienic. This is an environment conducive to the spread of various diseases, including “bird flu.”
“Avian flu” is a silent global crisis that is overlooked.
H5N1 bird flu was first discovered in 1996 at a goose farm in China. Since then, the virus has spread around the world and become more dangerous. This deadly virus isn’t just killing millions of birds. and affects at least 485 species of birds worldwide, including 40 percent of Dalmatian Pelicans in southeast Europe. But it also affects 48 other mammal species, including endangered sea lions and South American elephants. This H5N1 strain of bird flu is threatening biodiversity and ecosystems around the world.
Ms. Chisakarn Areepiphat, Communications Manager From Synergia Animal, he said: “Experts agree that global attention to this crisis is urgent. Even though bird flu is still not easily spread from person to person, But the virus has a high ability to mutate and could become a serious threat to humans. Like COVID-19, so far there has been a 50 percent death rate in humans infected with bird flu, which is more dangerous. COVID-19 has a fatality rate of 1.7 percent. International organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are aware of the severity of this problem. and call on all parties to work together to solve the problem.”
Industrial farms are breeding grounds for germs.
Another bird flu outbreak occurred in 2024 and has spread to hundreds of dairy farms across the United States. Industrial farming is crowded and unhygienic. This causes various germs such as the H5N1 bird flu strain to spread quickly. And when many animals live together in a confined space that lacks good biosecurity measures. The more it creates conditions that allow germs to grow faster.
Recent research from Harvard University suggests that Large-scale industrial farming is a key contributor to new epidemics. and recommended reducing livestock farming in limited areas use of antibiotics and unhygienic management of animal droppings Create an environment conducive to the emergence and spread of various pathogens such as bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease. and drug-resistant bacteria which can spread from animals to people The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) supports the findings and warns that if food production continues in the same way, The world will definitely face a major epidemic crisis in the future.
International efforts to combat H5N1 avian influenza
Many countries are dealing with the critical effects of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, with Asian countries such as Cambodia, China and Vietnam seeing an increase in the number of bird flu infections in both poultry and humans. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called for urgent measures to control the spread of the disease.
The 2003 bird flu outbreak had a severe impact on the chicken industry in Thailand. More than 62 million poultry had to be culled, prompting a more systematic restructuring of farms. There has been an adjustment to modern production systems with stricter biosafety measures. However, experts continue to warn of the risk of a potential pandemic.”
Stop the threat from industrial farms Roots of the epidemic problem
Synergia Animal calls for society to work together to reduce reliance on industrial farms. which is an important cause of the outbreak of various epidemics and to improve animal welfare with stricter biosafety measures. By shifting to a sustainable food system, such as supporting organic agriculture and consuming more vegetables that are healthy and planet-friendly.
“The bird flu crisis is a warning to us about the dangers of industrial farming. Raising animals on large farms is a risk factor that leads to epidemics. We should stop this harmful food system and instead support a more ethical and sustainable food system. to protect public health and biodiversity,” Ms. Chichakan added.
Learn more about Sinergia Animal’s work against industrial farming at Stop Financing Factory Farming.
