A World Health Organization official on Thursday called for stronger surveillance in animals for evidence of infection with H5N1 bird flu in order to curb its spread. The official also urged stronger efforts to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to new species of animals and to humans.

Small but growing number of H5N1 avian influenza infections have been detected in humans around the world in recent years

The developing avian influenza panzootic and the growing possibility of a pandemic bring to the fore the existential questions for humanity of climate change and the destruction of public health, both of which must be stopped in order to control the growing threats.

The World Health Organization on Thursday urged countries to step up surveillance for bird flu after the first case was detected in a child in the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday confirmed the country's first case of H5N1 bird flu infection in a child, who experienced mild symptoms and is recovering from their illness.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness, is calling for increased surveillance globally of animal populations that are known to be susceptible to H5N1, including wild birds,