Avian Influenza: delay in rise of detections, higher risk still expected in upcoming months

These are the findings of the the latest quarterly report on avian influenza by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the EU reference laboratory (EURL).

Between 2 September and 1 December 2023, HPAI outbreaks were reported in domestic (88) and wild (175) birds across 23 European countries. The results are in line with trends forecasted by EFSA’s Bird Flu Radar, a tool providing weekly predictions of the probability The likelihood that a particular event will occur or that a measured value will fall within a particular range. of HPAI introduction in wild birds.

The report notes that seven out of the eleven variants (genotypes) of HPAI virus identified in Europe were new and affected different wild bird species, particularly common cranes. HPAI was detected in wild birds and mammals in the Antarctic region for the first time.

ECDC assessed that the risk of infection with HPAI virus in Europe remains low for the general public, and low to moderate for occupationally or otherwise exposed people to infected birds or mammals (wild or domestic). To further reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend avoiding exposure Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time. to dead or diseased seabirds or mammals.

Today EFSA is publishing its Annual report on surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds, which summarises the results of surveillance activities carried out in Europe in 2022. EFSA has also launched a call for the establishment of an active surveillance network for HPAI across Europe.