Avian influenza cases fall in the EU during the spring

Detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) declined across Europe during the spring of 2026, according to the latest quarterly monitoring report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the EU reference laboratory (EURL). The virus activity is expected to remain low over the summer, and the risk to the general public is currently considered low.

Between 28 February and 4 June 2026, EU Member States reported 186 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds, alongside 763 detections in wild birds. While the number of outbreaks in domestic birds remains similar to the same period last year, detections in wild birds were at least three times higher, reflecting significant viral circulation in waterfowl.

Scientists also concluded that the number of HPAI detections in mammals was low, considering the high number of outbreaks during the winter period. Red foxes were identified as the most affected mammal species.

The report also highlights that Hungary reported low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 cases across seven poultry farms. While H9N2 detections have been previously reported in the EU, this marks the first detection of the specific H9N2 clade G5.5, which has been responsible for occasional human cases in the Middle East and West Africa. EFSA and ECDC advise Member States to monitor this situation closely.