H5N1 in Smuggled Eagles | CDC EID

From the CDC's journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases:

H5N1 in Smuggled Eagles | CDC EID: "We report the isolation and characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus from Crested Hawk-Eagles smuggled into Europe by air travel. A screening performed in human and avian contacts indicated no dissemination occurred. Illegal movements of birds are a major threat for the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza."

Although not a new story, it is good to see it in the scientific literature. This paper really highlights how the trade in wildlife could be a fundamental threat to human health. Think monkeypox, Ebola, SARS, HIV/AIDS ... all diseases that have entered the human population through consumption and trade of wildlife. The trade in wildlife is one of the major threats to biodiversity the world over. Perhaps with increasing recognition of the threat to human health something will be done about it.