Commonground
Senior Moderator
18 September 2026
Avian influenza A(H9N2) – Multi-country (World) – Monitoring human cases
• One new laboratory-confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infection in Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, China, was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Avian Influenza
Weekly Update Number 1061, published on 11 September 2026.
• The case involved a child who developed symptoms on 23 August 2026 and subsequently recovered.
• The child had exposure to household poultry and their environment. No additional cases have been identified
among close contacts.
• The risk related to zoonotic avian influenza due to A(H9N2) virus for the general population in the EU/EEA is
currently considered very low.
Influenza A(H5) - Multi-country (World) - Monitoring human cases
• One new laboratory-confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection in Bangladesh was
reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Influenza at the human-animal interface, Summary
and risk assessment, from 8 August to 6 September 2026 (published on 6 September 2026).
• The case is a child from Rangpur Division who developed symptoms on 15 August 2026 and was hospitalised
on 17 August 2026.
• Infection with avian influenza A(H5) virus was detected using real-time RT-PCR on 18 August 2026. Further
testing subsequently confirmed the viral subtype as influenza A(H5N1).
• The case had exposure to household ducks and chickens, including some that were sick. Environmental
samples tested negative.
• No additional cases have been detected among close contacts of the case.
• The risk related to zoonotic avian influenza due to A(H5N1) virus for the general population in the EU/EEA is
considered low.
Overview of respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, week 37, 2026
• Consultation rates for respiratory illness in both primary and secondary care settings remain at baseline levels
across most EU/EEA countries. Denmark continues to report low activity in primary care settings.
• SARS-CoV-2 activity is increasing slightly in primary and secondary care in several EU/EEA countries.
Detections in primary care are mainly related to individuals aged 15 years and above, while in secondary care,
they primarily concern adults aged over 65 years.
• Influenza virus activity is low overall, with only a few countries reporting detection. Detections in secondary
care mainly relate to adults aged over 65 years and most detections are influenza A viruses.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is low and at expected inter-epidemic levels.
Continued: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/de...cable-disease-threats-report-week-38-2026.pdf
- Time period covered: 12-18 September 2026
Avian influenza A(H9N2) – Multi-country (World) – Monitoring human cases
• One new laboratory-confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infection in Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, China, was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Avian Influenza
Weekly Update Number 1061, published on 11 September 2026.
• The case involved a child who developed symptoms on 23 August 2026 and subsequently recovered.
• The child had exposure to household poultry and their environment. No additional cases have been identified
among close contacts.
• The risk related to zoonotic avian influenza due to A(H9N2) virus for the general population in the EU/EEA is
currently considered very low.
Influenza A(H5) - Multi-country (World) - Monitoring human cases
• One new laboratory-confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection in Bangladesh was
reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Influenza at the human-animal interface, Summary
and risk assessment, from 8 August to 6 September 2026 (published on 6 September 2026).
• The case is a child from Rangpur Division who developed symptoms on 15 August 2026 and was hospitalised
on 17 August 2026.
• Infection with avian influenza A(H5) virus was detected using real-time RT-PCR on 18 August 2026. Further
testing subsequently confirmed the viral subtype as influenza A(H5N1).
• The case had exposure to household ducks and chickens, including some that were sick. Environmental
samples tested negative.
• No additional cases have been detected among close contacts of the case.
• The risk related to zoonotic avian influenza due to A(H5N1) virus for the general population in the EU/EEA is
considered low.
Overview of respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, week 37, 2026
• Consultation rates for respiratory illness in both primary and secondary care settings remain at baseline levels
across most EU/EEA countries. Denmark continues to report low activity in primary care settings.
• SARS-CoV-2 activity is increasing slightly in primary and secondary care in several EU/EEA countries.
Detections in primary care are mainly related to individuals aged 15 years and above, while in secondary care,
they primarily concern adults aged over 65 years.
• Influenza virus activity is low overall, with only a few countries reporting detection. Detections in secondary
care mainly relate to adults aged over 65 years and most detections are influenza A viruses.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is low and at expected inter-epidemic levels.
Continued: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/de...cable-disease-threats-report-week-38-2026.pdf