What are the consequences of the outbreaks in poultry?

The poultry outbreak of avian influenza in Hong Kong in 1997 and the recent outbreaks in Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Laos PDR, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam have led to deaths and the culling of millions of birds, and has impacted not only the poultry trade and exports, but also the livelihoods of the people.

Since H5N1 can infect humans, who do not have natural immunity against the disease, it can cause severe sickness and can even lead to death.

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