UK: The astonishing speed of avian influenza transmission was explored

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Oxford, in collaboration with institutions from China, Bangladesh, and France, have conducted a study revealing that the vast majority of poultry in Asia's live bird markets are infected with avian influenza (AI) within a day, with over 90% having previous exposure to the H9N2 subtype. The research, published in Nature Communications, highlights the urgent need for effective control measures to curb the spread of AI, particularly given the virus's potential for causing production losses and serving as a basis for new pandemic strains. The team's findings are instrumental in guiding public health interventions and the development of an advanced computer model to monitor AI spread, emphasizing the importance of targeting various stakeholders in the poultry supply chain to prevent pandemics. This research is supported by the Global Challenges Research Fund’s One Health Poultry Hub, underscoring the critical role of international collaboration in addressing global health challenges.