The World Organization for Animal Health says the bird flu outbreak that is currently killing millions of birds in the United States has impacted 35 countries around the world.
The major strain in the U.S. that has led to the deaths of 33 million birds since last December is H5N2. The USDA is now admitting that the H5N8 strain of bird flu has also been found in the United States.
The OIE says that the H5N8 strain was discovered in Korea and China before moving to Japan.
“From there the strain probably spread with migratory wild birds to India, Europe, Canada and later the United States of America,” the OIE said in a statement.
The OIE has requested that the 180 member countries apply better biosecurity measures at farms, live bird markets and in trades. They’ve also requested an increase in surveillance to try and stop outbreaks before they can infect more than one location.
The OIE added that while the main focus is on H5N2 and H5N8, the H5N1 virus that lead to a worldwide outbreak in 2004 and also infected humans is still out there. The virus has most recently been found in Africa.