🔴 Disease Outbreaks Report – February , 2025

The global animal disease landscape continues to evolve, with new outbreaks reported across multiple regions. These outbreaks highlight the need for continued monitoring, preventive measures, and international collaboration to manage and mitigate risks. Below is a detailed update on the latest disease outbreaks:

🔹 Ukraine – African Swine Fever Virus (February 26, 2025)

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. While it poses no risk to humans, it has devastating consequences for the swine industry, often leading to high mortality rates. ASF spreads through direct contact, contaminated feed, and even farm equipment, making biosecurity measures critical.

🔹 Burkina Faso – Gyrodactylus salaris Infection (February 26, 2025)

Gyrodactylus salaris is a parasitic flatworm that primarily affects salmon species, causing severe damage to fish populations in rivers and fish farms. It attaches to the skin and gills of the host, leading to ulcers, secondary infections, and sometimes death. Its spread poses a significant threat to fisheries and aquatic biodiversity.

🔹 Norway – Bluetongue Virus (February 24, 2025)

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a vector-borne disease affecting ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and deer. It is transmitted by biting midges and can cause fever, swelling, and even hemorrhages in infected animals. While some species develop severe symptoms, others remain asymptomatic, complicating disease control efforts.

🔹 Iraq – Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (Pending, February 24, 2025)

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, and sheep. The virus causes fever, mouth blisters, and lameness, significantly impacting livestock production. While not dangerous to humans, it spreads rapidly, often requiring large-scale culling to prevent outbreaks from escalating.

🔹 Mexico – New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) (February 22, 2025)

New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and even humans. The larvae burrow into the flesh, causing severe tissue damage and potentially fatal infections. Control programs have historically kept screwworm populations in check, but new outbreaks pose a significant threat to animal health.

🔹 United Kingdom – High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (H5N1), Poultry (February 21, 2025)

H5N1, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), continues to impact poultry farms worldwide. The virus spreads rapidly among birds, leading to respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and high mortality rates. It also poses a zoonotic risk, with occasional human infections reported. Strict biosecurity and culling measures are essential to contain its spread.

🔹 Ireland – Influenza A Viruses of High Pathogenicity (H5N1), Non-Poultry Including Wild Birds (February 21, 2025)

Unlike poultry outbreaks, HPAI in wild birds presents unique challenges for disease control. Migratory birds can carry the virus across borders, potentially introducing it to new regions. The continued presence of H5N1 in non-poultry species highlights the importance of wildlife surveillance and monitoring to prevent spillover into domestic flocks.

🔹 Armenia – Rabies Virus (Untyped or Partially Typed) (February 21, 2025)

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects mammals, including humans, and is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. The presence of untyped or partially typed strains in Armenia underscores the need for rabies vaccination programs and public awareness initiatives.

🔹 India – High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (H5N1), Poultry (February 20, 2025)

India has reported another outbreak of H5N1 in poultry, reinforcing concerns about the virus's persistence in the region. As with other outbreaks, rapid containment efforts, including culling and movement restrictions, are crucial to minimizing its economic and public health impact.

🔹 Chile – Equine Infectious Anaemia (February 20, 2025)

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) is a viral disease that affects horses, donkeys, and mules. It is spread through biting insects and contaminated needles. Infected animals may experience fever, anemia, and weight loss, but some remain asymptomatic carriers for life. Regular testing and quarantine measures are essential to controlling its spread in equine populations.

Conclusion

These outbreaks emphasize the importance of disease surveillance, early detection, and proactive control measures. Governments, veterinarians, and farmers must remain vigilant to prevent further spread and mitigate the impact on agriculture, trade, and public health.

Stay tuned for more updates on global animal disease trends.

Source: https://wahis.woah.org/#/home