05 May 2026
As of May 5, 2026, Poland is experiencing a significant and accelerating intensification of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The current epidemic, driven by the H5N1 strain, has demonstrated a rapid escalation in both the frequency and the magnitude of
outbreaks within commercial operations. The scope of the 2026 avian influenza season has reached critical levels.
Outbreak Statistics: Confirmed cases in commercial flocks have risen to 117 as of early May.
The total number of birds affected by the virus now nears 2 million.
A defining characteristic of the 2026 events is the infection of increasingly large flocks, with single outbreaks frequently involving hundreds of thousands of animals.
The epidemic has moved beyond specific niches, impacting the entire poultry industry including laying hens, breeding hens, slaughter turkeys, ducks, and geese. While the virus is not locally contained, there is a heavy concentration of activity in central Poland. However, the risk now extends across much of the country, with significant outbreaks confirmed in several key regions.
