Bird flu outbreak in Poland
The H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in a turkey flock of 40,000 birds and local media reported that the outbreak might result in them all being slaughtered. Another 350,000 birds on three farms nearby are also at risk.
Poland is Europe’s largest poultry producer and has not had an outbreak of bird flu since 2017.
H5N8 has not infected any humans worldwide to date but the emergence of a novel H5N8 virus with the capability of infecting humans could have drastic consequences to global health.
Bird flu is a storm of our own making. Another reason to abolish animal farming and go vegan.
Read more about bird flu here.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
View author page | View staff profile
