The bird flu continues to hit several countries around the world squarely. In the European Union we have learned that France will buy 80 million doses to vaccinate its population, being the first country to make this decision in our environment.

In Japanmeanwhile, there is no space to bury the 17 million chickens slaughtered by the latest outbreak of bird flu, the same virus that has killed more than 40% of the pelicans in Peru.

santiago vegaprofessor of animal health at the Cardenal Herrera Oria University in Valencia, explained to laSexta that the drought has meant that wild birds have nowhere to drink, forcing them to travel to farms.

Europe has also been forced to slaughter millions of birds, as in Chile and Peru It has occurred with lions, sea lions, seals and penguins, which have shown that the virus is also lethal in infected mammals.

In BrazilFor example, they have prohibited fairs and bird exhibitions to try to avoid contagion. Vega points out that the most important point in a crisis like this is that farmers have to become aware of the “biosecurity” that they must have with wild birds that can enter their farms.

Experts recall that there is no risk of contagion from food consumption and that, since 2003, only 868 people have contracted the disease, although the mortality rate exceeds 50%.

Elisa Perez Ramireza virologist and veterinarian at the animal research center-CSIC, adds that “what would be really serious” is that the virus can adapt to be transmitted between humans, something that is still “far away”, he reassures.

However, as Vega recalls, there are 99% of viruses that are “confined” and that, as the “biodiversity dams” break, they can get out. It should be remembered that if we find dead or dying birds in the field, we must call the Seprona, keeping away from them.