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Topic hub · Systems & Industry

Pandemics, Bird Flu & Biosecurity

Avian influenza has moved from poultry sheds into wild birds, mammals and dairy herds. This hub tracks H5N1, mass depopulation methods, antimicrobial resistance, spillover science and the prevention policies experts recommend.

Stories
28
Writers
22
Reading time
134m
Desks
3
Distressed chicken in a crowded East Asian factory farm during forced moulting
Featured Stories

7 Hidden Cruelties of Forced Moulting in East Asian Chickens: The Truth You Didn't Know

Discover the concealed cruelties of forced moulting in East Asian chicken farms, from stress and pain to antibiotic resistance.

By Dr. Li Wei, Veterinarian and Animal Welfare Advocate · 2 min read

Stories in this hub

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Frequently asked questions

How are birds killed during flu outbreaks?
Mass depopulation often uses ventilation shutdown plus heat, water-based foam or gas — methods veterinary bodies have criticised on welfare grounds.
Does intensive farming increase pandemic risk?
Large, genetically uniform, densely housed populations allow pathogens to amplify and adapt quickly, which is why virologists flag them as spillover hotspots.

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Read across the whole subject

Compare explainers, investigations and practical guidance within this hub. A shared topic does not mean every result is interchangeable: check the species, country, date and methods behind each claim.

Reference sources

Egrets in a coastal wetland.
Egrets in a coastal wetland.

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