Borneo's Wild Birds Pose Direct Avian Flu Risk to Humans

In Malaysian Borneo, a study published in Nature Communications has revealed that migratory birds may directly transmit avian influenza to humans. Researchers found that 1% of 2,000 sampled individuals in Sabah state had been exposed to H5 viruses, with infections mapped near stopover areas for migratory shorebirds. This challenges the previously held belief that the virus primarily spreads from wild birds to poultry and then to humans. The study highlights the need for increased surveillance in regions where migratory birds interact with human populations, especially as their habitats are threatened by environmental changes. Experts warn that the risk of spillover events may be rising due to habitat destruction, which could force these birds into closer contact with people, potentially leading to more infections. While some scientists caution that the findings may be premature without evidence of H5 circulation among local poultry, the research underscores the importance of monitoring avian influenza as a growing global health threat.