Although highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in birds continue to be widespread across Europe, their overall number is much lower than in recent years. This is among the main conclusions of the latest review of the disease situation published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It covers HPAI viruses of the H5 “family,” and to the period December 2, 2023 to March 15, 2024.
EFSA attributes the decline — at least, in part — to the development of flock immunity in previously infected populations. This would help to reduce the risk of further transmission by limiting the shedding of viruses in the environment. Furthermore, according to EFSA, currently circulating influenza A(H5N1) viruses have a different genotype.
Over the review period, EFSA registered 227 outbreaks linked to HPAI viruses of the H5 group in domestic birds, and 414 in wild populations in 26 countries in the region. Read more