Latest news with #HighlyPathogenicAvianInfluenza
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
2 birds in Yellowknife test positive for avian flu
Two birds in Yellowknife, a raven and ring-billed gull, have tested positive for bird flu and the N.W.T. government is warning residents on how best to take precautions. In a news release Friday, the N.W.T.'s environment department said there have been nine confirmed cases of bird flu — formerly known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — in the territory since 2022. The disease is highly infectious among birds but the department said there are no signs of an outbreak and risk to other birds remains low. In the news release, the territory's chief public health officer said transmission of bird flu to humans is rare and typically mild, but residents should still be careful when handling birds. The territory is warning residents not to handle wild birds that are found dead or acting strangely, and to avoid touching surfaces that could be contaminated. They're also asked to report sightings of sick, injured or dead wildlife to the community's Environment and Climate Change (ECC) regional office. Hunters are advised to wear gloves and wash their hands often while dressing birds, and to process birds in well-ventilated areas. They should also disinfect surfaces, equipment and clothing afterwards, and always cook meat to an internal temperature of at least 74 C (165 F). Anybody experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms and who has been in contact with a bird within 10 days is asked to reach out to their local health centre or call 811 for assessment.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
2 birds in Yellowknife test positive for avian flu
Two birds in Yellowknife, a raven and ring-billed gull, have tested positive for bird flu and the N.W.T. government is warning residents on how best to take precautions. In a news release Friday, the N.W.T.'s environment department said there have been nine confirmed cases of bird flu — formerly known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — in the territory since 2022. The disease is highly infectious among birds but the department said there are no signs of an outbreak and risk to other birds remains low. In the news release, the territory's chief public health officer said transmission of bird flu to humans is rare and typically mild, but residents should still be careful when handling birds. The territory is warning residents not to handle wild birds that are found dead or acting strangely, and to avoid touching surfaces that could be contaminated. They're also asked to report sightings of sick, injured or dead wildlife to the community's Environment and Climate Change (ECC) regional office. Hunters are advised to wear gloves and wash their hands often while dressing birds, and to process birds in well-ventilated areas. They should also disinfect surfaces, equipment and clothing afterwards, and always cook meat to an internal temperature of at least 74 C (165 F). Anybody experiencing respiratory or flu-like symptoms and who has been in contact with a bird within 10 days is asked to reach out to their local health centre or call 811 for assessment.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Zoetis Releases 2024 Sustainability Progress Update
PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoetis published its 2024 Sustainability Progress Update 'Advancing Sustainability in Animal Health for a Better Future' to highlight the company's continued progress toward achieving its Driven to Care aspirations. The publication represents Zoetis' fifth year reporting on its purpose-driven actions across three pillars – Communities, Animals and the Planet – that strengthen its business by creating long-term value, enhancing stakeholder trust, and supporting sustainable growth. 'Zoetis contributes to a healthier future for communities, animals and the planet thanks to our colleagues who demonstrate their commitment to the Driven to Care strategy and are empowered to advance our company's purpose,' said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, and Chief Sustainability Officer at Zoetis and President of the Zoetis Foundation. 'By embedding our sustainability strategy across our business, and through purposeful partnerships with our customers and other stakeholders, our actions address challenges at the intersection of people, animals and the environment.' Highlights of the company's progress in 2024 include: Communities – Care and Collaboration 20,404 hours of community-based volunteer time reported by colleagues, which represents 102% of the company's stated goal and a 23% increase from hours reported in 2023. Zoetis provides paid time off for colleagues to volunteer and support animals, their caregivers, and local communities. The Zoetis Foundation disbursed $11.3 million in grants in 2024 ($26.2 million since 2021), supporting education, well-being, and livelihoods for veterinarians and farmers as well as humanitarian aid and a matching gifts program. The grantmaking in 2024 included $3.5 million in funding that will provide nearly 500 veterinary student scholarships. $8.9 million invested in communities through Zoetis Inc. corporate giving; efforts included vet care access to approximately 322,000 pet owners in need and providing care to approximately 428,000 animals affected by disasters. 86% colleague engagement rate driven by a culture anchored in Core Beliefs; the company's focus on colleagues includes talent development programs, mentorship and coaching, and comprehensive benefits to foster an inclusive workplace where every colleague can thrive. Animals – Innovation in Animal Health Launched a strategic partnership with Danone, leveraging Zoetis' genetics expertise to advance the dairy industry's approach to breeding cattle for sustainability. Also, began a research collaboration with AgNext to close data gaps and meet the evolving sustainability needs of the cattle industry. Introduced solutions for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) including existing vaccines used to help protect California Condors in the U.S. and trialed on five species of endangered birds in New Zealand. Treated 16.7 million cows and 354.9 million chickens in Sub-Saharan Africa, exceeding goals, through the company's African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A. Plus) initiative. Planet – The Drive to Protect our Planet Continued progress toward carbon neutrality in the company's own operations, reducing total Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 26.7% from 2023. This reduction was primarily driven by increased renewable energy credits procured through a virtual power purchase agreement. 80.6% of the company's global electricity is from renewable sources. The company's locations covered by renewable electricity include 15 manufacturing sites, its R&D headquarters in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and its international headquarters office in Dublin, Ireland. Installed an 800kW solar array at the Rutherford manufacturing site in Australia – making it Zoetis' eighth location to generate a portion of its power through on-site solar energy. Implemented new sustainable packaging solutions and reduced waste through recycled paper packaging for a cattle vaccine in Europe and replaced single use with reusable pallets and transitioned from air to sea freight in Spain. For more detailed disclosures on the company's sustainability programs, practices and policies, please download Zoetis' 2024 Sustainability Progress Update or visit Zoetis will continue to share updates on its sustainability activities, including progress against its Driven to Care aspirations, and report annually. About Zoetis As the world's leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company's leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit DISCLOSURE NOTICES Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and the 2024 Sustainability Progress Update (including the 2024 SASB and ESG Index) contain forward-looking statements which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to: our progress toward our Driven to Care aspirations; our business plans or prospects; expectations regarding future operating or financial performance; the plans and future work of the Zoetis Foundation, and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections thereof captioned 'Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results' and 'Item 1A. Risk Factors,' in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at or on request from Zoetis. All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. See the footnotes within our 2024 Sustainability Progress Update for more details regarding all calculations.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
SA meat processors body urges swift action to lift Brazil poultry ban as job losses mount
The South African Meat Processors Association (Sampa) has welcomed signs of progress in efforts to lift the ban on poultry and poultry-product imports from Brazil but has warned urgent action is needed to prevent further job losses and a shortage of affordable protein products. The government has banned poultry products from the South American country, which recently announced a bird flu outbreak in one of its regions. The agriculture department confirmed this week steps are being taken to resolve the import suspension, which was imposed in response to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, in Brazil. Sampa acknowledged the government's response and engagement but stressed that zoning — or regionalisation — must be implemented without delay to allow imports from unaffected areas of Brazil to resume. 'We urge the government to implement zoning (regionalisation) with all haste as the ban has placed more than 125,000 jobs at risk in the manufacturing sector, on top of the grave threat it poses to South Africa's food security.'
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Bird flu cases spreading faster and with greater impacts
Bird flu instances affecting mammals doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year - up to 1,022 outbreaks compared to 459 - and are having greater impacts, according to a new report on the global state of animal health by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). During the same period, 943 outbreaks were reported in poultry, alongside 2,570 outbreaks in non-poultry species, including 1,548 among wild birds. These incidents led to the loss of over 82.1 million poultry. Over the past two decades, more than 633 million birds have been lost either through infection or culling as part of efforts to contain the virus. 'A notable development in 2024 was the increase in HPAI outbreaks in mammals,' the report notes. It also highlights that avian influenza is no longer a seasonal or regional issue, as cases have been reported globally since 2022. The virus has affected new species of wild birds, domestic poultry, and an increasing number of mammal species, including livestock and pets. WOAH warns that avian influenza has evolved beyond an animal health crisis into a global emergency, threatening agriculture, food security, trade, and ecosystems. In some cases, the virus has spilled over into humans, raising concerns about its potential to develop into a broader public health crisis. The situation is particularly worrying in the United States, where a bird flu outbreak among poultry and dairy cattle has led to 67 confirmed human cases and one death. In Europe, there have been no human infections and no reports of the virus in cattle. The genotype currently circulating in the US has not been detected in Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). While the risk of human infection remains low, the WOAH warns that as more mammalian species become infected, the likelihood of the virus adapting to enable mammal-to-mammal and potentially human transmission increases. In addition to the devastating impact on poultry, bird flu is causing unprecedented mass die-offs in wild bird populations, disrupting ecosystems and threatening biodiversity, the report shows. 'As integral components of ecosystem stability, the loss of biodiversity causes cascading effects that compromise environmental resilience and global wildlife conservation,' it reads, adding that biodiversity alteration at this scale also affects migration patterns and food chains. According to the animal health organisation, seabirds, raptors and waterfowl have suffered catastrophic losses, with entire breeding colonies wiped out. Further consequences of the global spread of avian flu include disruption to international trade, as outbreaks often trigger strict commercial restrictions. One example is the current suspension of Brazil's poultry exports to the European Union after the country notified the WOAH of a bird flu outbreak. As of 19 May, the country lost its status of 'free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)' which means Brazilian authorities are unable to sign the animal health certificates required for exports to the EU. The WOAH's report states that 'the scale and complexity of this ongoing epizootic require urgent action beyond traditional control measures'. What are these traditional measures? Strict biosecurity and active surveillance have been the main strategies to date. While these have been effective to some extent, the organisation warns that the virus's relentless spread demands additional efforts. Vaccination may offer a solution or at least serve as a valuable complement to traditional measures, as vaccines can reduce not only the spread of outbreaks but also the severity of infections. In October 2023, France became the first EU country to roll out a nationwide vaccination campaign against bird flu in ducks, due to their key role in disease transmission. According to the report, this initiative helped reduce the number of outbreaks from a projected 700 to just 10. In addition to animal vaccines, some countries have started vaccination among people at risk of contracting bird flu, such as poultry farm workers. Last year, the European Commission, purchased 665,000 pre-pandemic vaccine doses targeting avian influenza and took an option for 40 million doses over the next four years, in preparation for a potential future spread to humans. Finland was the first country to receive the shipment after reporting becoming the first country in the world to start vaccinating humans. In a world first, the United Kingdom is rolling out a vaccine to prevent gonorrhoea – but it is not likely to reach patients in mainland Europe anytime soon. The jab will be offered through the UK's National Health Service (NHS) to people in England at high risk of contracting gonorrhoea, after a vaccine advisory committee concluded in 2023 that it could help reduce the country's surge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In studies, the vaccine was between 32.7 per cent and 42 per cent effective against gonorrhoea, the advisory group found. That means the jab could help reduce, but not completely eliminate, the risk of infection. The vaccine, known as 4CMenB and sold by GSK as Bexsero, was not originally created with gonorrhoea in mind. It's been authorised for more than a decade in both the UK and the European Union to prevent meningococcal disease, which causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. The UK has recommended that babies receive the vaccine since 2015, with Ireland, Italy, Portugal, France, and Germany later following suit. Uptake has been spotty elsewhere in the EU. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea are closely genetically related. Real-world data from New Zealand and elsewhere indicate that the 4CMenB jab could be particularly effective against gonorrhoea, though a randomised trial in France concluded that it was not effective. The vaccine hasn't been approved to prevent gonorrhoea in the UK, meaning the NHS programme will offer it for off-label use. Beginning in August, gay and bisexual men who have a recent STI or history of multiple sexual partners will be eligible for immunisation, in the hopes of slowing the bacteria's spread. England saw 85,000 new gonorrhoea cases in 2023, the highest level since records began in 1918, the NHS said. The vaccine "has the potential to help us to turn that around," Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said in a statement. But other Europeans won't have access to the jab. The EU's scientific advisory group is not considering whether it should be authorised to prevent gonorrhoea, and a GSK spokesperson told Euronews Health that the drugmaker is not in talks with regulators to change that. Meanwhile, health authorities in France and Italy told Euronews Health that the jab is not on their agendas, and a German representative pointed to a review that found mixed results on the efficacy of the vaccine to prevent gonorrhoea. The Norwegian public health agency noted that the vaccine offers "some protection" against gonorrhoea, but it stopped short of endorsing the jab. Gonorrhoea is one of the most common STIs, with nearly 97,000 confirmed cases in 28 European countries in 2023 – up 31 per cent from the year before, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Cases have been rising among all age groups and among both women and men, with men who have sex with men accounting for 58 per cent of cases in 2023. Gonorrhoea can cause burning during urination, discharge from the genitals, and pain in the lower abdomen or testicles. It can lead to serious health issues if left untreated, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Symptoms typically appear two weeks after infection, but many people don't have symptoms and can unknowingly spread gonorrhoea to their sexual partners. Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics, though the surge of cases in recent years raises the risk that people will be infected with drug-resistant strains that are harder to treat. That's one problem the UK is hoping to address with the new vaccination programme, according to Dr Sema Mandal, deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency. "This vaccination programme is a hugely welcome intervention at a time when we're seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea," Mandal said in a statement.
