We Must End Factory Farming to Stop the Spread of Avian Flu, Says International NGO

Image: Molly Condit / Sinergia Animal / We Animals Media

Since October 2021, over 280 million birds have died from the deadly H5N1 avian flu. This outbreak is one of the worst wildlife losses in recent history. It has affected endangered species and infected mammals, raising fears that the virus could spread to humans. The international NGO Sinergia Animal urges the world to tackle the root cause of this problem: factory farming, which creates the perfect conditions for diseases like bird flu to emerge.

A Global Crisis That’s Being Ignored

H5N1 was first discovered in 1996 on a goose farm in China. Since then, the virus has spread across the world and become more dangerous. It has killed significant numbers of birds, including 40% of Dalmatian pelicans in southeastern Europe and almost an entire generation of sea lions and elephant seals in South America. The virus has now affected at least 485 bird species and 48 mammal species, causing severe damage to wildlife and biodiversity.

“Experts agree that this crisis needs immediate global attention. While human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has not been common yet, the virus could mutate and become more dangerous, much like COVID-19 did,” said Carolina Galvani, Executive Director of Sinergia Animal. “H5N1 so far has had a 50% fatality rate in humans, which is far deadlier than COVID-19’s 1.7%. The United Nations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have both issued warnings about the potential dangers,” added Galvani.

Factory Farming: A Breeding Ground for Diseases

The current bird flu outbreak began in 2024 and has spread to farms across the US, affecting hundreds of dairy herds. Factory farming, with its overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, makes it easy for diseases like H5N1 to spread quickly. Animals live in close quarters with poor biosecurity measures, creating conditions that allow diseases to thrive.

A recent Harvard University study highlighted the link between factory farming and the risk of zoonotic diseases (illnesses that jump from animals to humans). The report recommends reducing animal farming globally to lower the risk of future pandemics. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) also supports this statement, saying that factory farming could easily create the next pandemic.

Global Efforts to Fight H5N1

Many countries of the Global South are feeling the effects of the H5N1 crisis. Experts warn that while some countries have improved their capabilities to monitor viruses after the COVID-19 pandemic, many Latin American nations lack the resources and infrastructure to adequately track and respond to future pandemics. Efforts to secure international funding and support are underway, but the region remains vulnerable to another health crisis. 

In Asia, Cambodia, China, and Vietnam are seeing an alarming rise in bird flu cases, with outbreaks affecting both birds and humans. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for urgent measures to control the spread.

The Solution: Moving Away from Factory Farming

Sinergia Animal urges that the solution to the H5N1 crisis is clear: we must end factory farming. These intensive farming systems breed diseases that can jump to humans. The NGO calls for better animal welfare, more robust biosecurity measures, and a transition to plant-based food systems, which are healthier for both humans and the planet.

“The bird flu crisis shows just how dangerous factory farming is,” says Galvani. “We must stop funding these harmful practices and invest in more humane and sustainable plant-based alternatives that protect public health and biodiversity.”

For more information on Sinergia Animal’s campaign to stop factory farming, visit Stop Financing Factory Farming.