- EFSA notes a very early and intense increase in HPAI infections in Europe.
- There have been 2,896 reported cases of the H5 virus, including 2,454 among wild birds.
- Bird migrations are the main factor in reintroducing the virus to new regions.
European bird flu season accelerates
The bird flu season in Europe has entered an intense phase much earlier than usual and the scale of detections is significantly higher than in past years. EFSA reports that since the beginning of autumn, 2,896 cases of the H5 virus have been identified, the vast majority of which involved wild birds. The level of infection in this group is significantly higher than previously observed results, indicating the exceptional activity of the virus during this year’s season.
The highest number of cases was reported among migratory species that move through key routes in Western and Southern Europe. Although the number of infections in poultry farms remains comparable to previous seasons, the increase relative to 2023 and 2021 is marked. Experts stress that, unlike in previous years, the current wave of infections is mainly driven by the reintroduction of the virus from the wild population, rather than by transmission between individual farms.
Risks and prevention
Human infections with HPAI virus remain rare, with only a dozen cases documented worldwide, including several fatal cases. Infections to date have been primarily associated with contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments, confirming that the risk to the wider population remains limited.
However, EFSA warns that further migratory activity of birds could increase the number of further infections both in the wild and on farms, necessitating stricter bio-assurance procedures. The increasing number of outbreaks also has economic implications for poultry producers, who need to apply stricter protection measures to reduce virus transmission and minimise potential losses.
