A lethal strain of bird flu that originated in China during the mid-1990s has now reached every corner of the world, according to a comprehensive two-decade analysis from Germany’s leading animal disease research facility.
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which serves as Germany’s primary reference laboratory for animal diseases, has published an extensive 20-year review tracking the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.
The virus made its first documented appearance in Germany on February 14, 2006, during a harsh winter season. Researchers discovered the deadly strain after finding two deceased whooper swans, marking a significant milestone in the disease’s international expansion.
The institute’s detailed report chronicles how this dangerous bird flu variant has systematically moved from its initial emergence in Chinese poultry operations to become a worldwide concern affecting both wild bird populations and domestic flocks.
