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APPROVED: 10 December 2025
European Food Safety Authority,
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,
European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Hubert
Buczkowski, Mariette Ducatez, Alice Fusaro, Jose L Gonzales, Thijs Kuiken,
Gražina Mirinavičiūtė, Karl Ståhl, Christoph Staubach, Olov Svartström,
Calogero Terregino, Katriina Willgert, Evelyn Alarcón and Lisa Kohnle
Abstract
Between 6 September and 28 November 2025, 2,896 highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) A(H5) virus detections were reported in domestic (442) and wild (2,454) birds in
29 countries in Europe. The magnitude and geographical extent of these detections were
unprecedented for this time of the year, particularly in wild birds. Large numbers of
waterfowl were affected by the disease, and mass mortality of common cranes was
observed along their migratory routes in Europe. Given the high levels of virus circulation
in wild birds and the resulting high environmental contamination, most HPAI outbreaks in
domestic birds were primary, with indirect contact with wild birds being the most likely
source of infection. Among poultry species, turkeys were proportionally the most affected,
and HPAI outbreaks were once again reported in vaccinated ducks. A slight increase in
HPAI virus detections in mammals was noted among foxes and domestic cats in Europe,
consistent with the increase in detections in wild birds. Between 9 September and 28
November 2025, 19 cases of avian influenza virus infection in humans, including two
deaths, were reported in four countries: Cambodia (three A(H5N1) cases, one death),
China (14 A(H9N2) cases), Mexico (one A(H5N2) case), and United States of America
(USA) (one fatal A(H5N5) case). All of the A(H5) human cases (n = 5/5) reported exposure
to poultry or a poultry environment prior to detection or onset of illness. The current high
level of avian influenza virus in bird populations increases the risk of human exposure to
infected animals. Nevertheless, given the widespread circulation of avian influenza viruses
in animal populations, human infections remain rare. No instances of human-to-human
transmission were documented during the reporting period. The risk posed by avian
A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b influenza viruses currently circulating in Europe remains low for
the general public in the European Union/European Economic Area and low-to-moderate
for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated
environments.
European Food Safety Authority,
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,
European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Hubert
Buczkowski, Mariette Ducatez, Alice Fusaro, Jose L Gonzales, Thijs Kuiken,
Gražina Mirinavičiūtė, Karl Ståhl, Christoph Staubach, Olov Svartström,
Calogero Terregino, Katriina Willgert, Evelyn Alarcón and Lisa Kohnle
Abstract
Between 6 September and 28 November 2025, 2,896 highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) A(H5) virus detections were reported in domestic (442) and wild (2,454) birds in
29 countries in Europe. The magnitude and geographical extent of these detections were
unprecedented for this time of the year, particularly in wild birds. Large numbers of
waterfowl were affected by the disease, and mass mortality of common cranes was
observed along their migratory routes in Europe. Given the high levels of virus circulation
in wild birds and the resulting high environmental contamination, most HPAI outbreaks in
domestic birds were primary, with indirect contact with wild birds being the most likely
source of infection. Among poultry species, turkeys were proportionally the most affected,
and HPAI outbreaks were once again reported in vaccinated ducks. A slight increase in
HPAI virus detections in mammals was noted among foxes and domestic cats in Europe,
consistent with the increase in detections in wild birds. Between 9 September and 28
November 2025, 19 cases of avian influenza virus infection in humans, including two
deaths, were reported in four countries: Cambodia (three A(H5N1) cases, one death),
China (14 A(H9N2) cases), Mexico (one A(H5N2) case), and United States of America
(USA) (one fatal A(H5N5) case). All of the A(H5) human cases (n = 5/5) reported exposure
to poultry or a poultry environment prior to detection or onset of illness. The current high
level of avian influenza virus in bird populations increases the risk of human exposure to
infected animals. Nevertheless, given the widespread circulation of avian influenza viruses
in animal populations, human infections remain rare. No instances of human-to-human
transmission were documented during the reporting period. The risk posed by avian
A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b influenza viruses currently circulating in Europe remains low for
the general public in the European Union/European Economic Area and low-to-moderate
for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated
environments.
