FAO issues new guidelines for early influenza detection in cattle

GLOBAL – In response to growing concerns about the spread of avian influenza (H5N1) to mammals, including cattle, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released new guidelines to enhance early detection and improve surveillance of cattle. 

This move follows a worrying rise in infections among cattle and other mammals, signalling a potential global health threat.

Since the emergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus over two decades ago, it has evolved into various clades, with Clade 2.3.4.4b, first identified in 2021, standing out for its broad ability to infect both wild and domestic animals. 

This clade has notably spread to several species, including poultry, marine mammals, and even tigers, bears, and pets. 

The detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle earlier in 2024, along with human infections linked to exposure to infected cattle, has underscored the urgency of bolstering influenza surveillance in farmed animals.

FAO’s newly published guidelines focus on strengthening passive surveillance systems that encourage reporting of suspected cases by farmers and veterinarians. 

The organisation emphasises the importance of monitoring high-risk areas, such as regions with dense poultry or dairy cattle populations and migratory bird activity. 

It also advocates tapping into informal data sources, such as market price fluctuations, social media, and community networks, to detect potential outbreaks early.

The guidelines are designed to help FAO member countries implement effective surveillance strategies with limited resources. 

They propose leveraging existing systems and integrating them into broader, risk-based approaches to detect spillover events quickly. Not only do these guidelines apply to cattle, but they also have relevance for other farmed mammals that may be susceptible to influenza.

The FAO stresses the importance of early intervention once an influenza case is suspected. Infected cattle may display a range of symptoms, including decreased milk production, lethargy, fever, and dehydration, while some animals may show no signs at all. 

Infected cattle are primarily spread through the movement of animals or shared farm equipment, and close proximity between dairy farms and poultry units increases the risk of cross-species transmission.

FAO’s recommendations highlight the need for rapid detection and swift response measures in the event of an outbreak. 

It calls for coordinated efforts between veterinary and public health authorities to monitor and manage HPAI, aiming to prevent spillovers that could lead to new pandemic strains. 

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