Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has reemerged in recent years with an unusually rapid and widespread outbreak, causing concern among researchers and public health officials. Scientists at the University of Georgia (UGA) are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the virus’s adaptability and potential threat to both animal and human populations.
“Arguably, we are in the age of pandemics,” said Justin Bahl, professor of infectious diseases and epidemiology at UGA. He warned about increased risks due to industrialized animal farming practices: “We’ve challenged the environment to an extreme extent. We have increased the number of animals we’re producing domestically for food in an industrial way that requires us to maximize profits and speed. If a disease gets in there… We—as a species—are going to let our guard down and sleepwalk into our next pandemic.”
Bahl has focused on avian influenza for two decades, noting its persistence despite periods of reduced activity. Avian influenza includes several strains; some infect wild birds without causing illness, but highly pathogenic variants like H5N1 have led to outbreaks affecting poultry farms worldwide since their identification in 1997.
Nicole Nemeth, associate professor at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine and head of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study’s diagnostic service, commented on the challenge posed by widespread viral infections: “There’s not much we can do about a viral infection that’s everywhere.” The cooperative provides expertise to agencies such as the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
After initial outbreaks subsided following extensive culling efforts, avian influenza cases dropped until a resurgence began around 2020. The virus then spread rapidly among wild birds across continents before moving into commercial poultry operations.
In 2022, reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that H5N1 was infecting various mammals—including red foxes, bobcats, opossums, mountain lions—and even marine species like harbor seals and whales. S. Mark Tompkins, director for UGA’s Center for Vaccines and Immunology and principal investigator at UGA’s Center for Influenza Disease and Emergence Research (CIDER), highlighted this shift: “This is something people should be concerned about. The virus evolved in about two years to infect over 100 mammalian species and kill them. That gives the virus the opportunity to change. That in and of itself is concerning.”
Tompkins’ lab is one of five nationwide tasked with testing dairy supplies for avian influenza on behalf of federal authorities after evidence emerged that dairy cattle had become infected—a development still under investigation regarding its transmission pathways.
“We don’t know how viruses are getting into poultry farms or cattle farms,” Bahl said.
Despite ongoing research collaborations—including CDC-funded initiatives led by Bahl aimed at translating discoveries into practical interventions—experts acknowledge persistent uncertainty surrounding avian influenza’s behavior.
“Maybe we won’t be able to find out the answer as to why this happened or how to prevent it from happening again,” Tompkins said. “The complexity worries me.”
While human cases remain rare—with only 70 reported infections in people during this outbreak period in the United States—the majority involved direct contact with affected animals.
Casey Ritz, professor of poultry science at UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and specialist with UGA Cooperative Extension, noted that vigilance remains crucial: “We might be in for the long haul with this one,” Ritz said. “There’s no easy fix to this, and vigilance is going to be important.”
With multiple centers dedicated to studying infectious diseases—including CIDER—UGA continues its role at the forefront of research into forecasting disease threats posed by highly adaptable viruses such as avian influenza.
