PAHO urges vigilance as avian flu continues to circulate in the Americas

Key Points ( 5 ) The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging countries across the Americas to strengthen surveillance for avian influenza as the virus continues to circulate among birds and mammals, despite a decline in animal outbreaks and no reported human cases in the region so far this year. In an epidemiological update issued this week, PAHO said 10 countries reported 455 outbreaks of avian influenza A(H5) in animals between January and July 15, including 386 outbreaks among birds and 69 among mammals. The figure represents a 25.7% decline from the 612 outbreaks recorded during the same period in 2025. The decrease was particularly significant among mammals, with reported outbreaks falling nearly 65%, from 196 last year to 69 this year. However, PAHO cautioned that the continued circulation of the virus means countries should remain vigilant and strengthen coordination across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.