Editorial: Rapid Testing for the Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus is Urgently Required as Infections in Poultry and Dairy Cows are on the Rise, and so is Transmission to Humans.

Abstract

Currently, there have been no identified cases of human-to-human transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus. However, there is increasing concern that infections in poultry and cattle with transmission to humans are growing due to inadequate control measures. In March 2025, the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) issued a directive with concerns about infection control in poultry and dairy cows. In January 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) published data on the cumulative number of reported and confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) in 24 countries, including 964 cases with 466 deaths, which gives a mortality rate of 48%. Therefore, potential mortality from human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) exceeds that of infection with SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, where mortality rates were between 10-20% before vaccines were available. Improved measures are required for surveillance, prevention, and control of avian influenza A(H5N1), which depends on accurate and rapid viral testing. This editorial presents the current status of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus transmission to humans and why rapid viral testing is urgently required.