Avian influenza threatens global vulture populations and human wellbeing

Signatories of a letter published in the journal Conservation Biology have warned that avian influenza poses a severe threat to vulture populations worldwide, EurekAlert reported. The authors stated that the potential loss of these birds could harm ecosystems and human wellbeing. [1]

Vultures rank among the most threatened groups of birds in the world. Human activity and poisoning already place at least 16 of the 23 vulture species in a state of conservation concern, according to EurekAlert. Vultures provide critical ecosystem services for human health by consuming decomposing animal carcasses. [1]

Birds are warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Aves. They are characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, and hard-shelled eggs. Worldwide, there are more than 11,000 living species of birds classified into 44 orders. [2]

To counter the threat of avian flu, the researchers proposed five specific actions. These measures include monitoring vulture populations, carrying out vaccination campaigns, and managing carrion supplies, EurekAlert reported. [1]