Widespread H5N1 in US Dairy
26 February, 2026 A new study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases highlights the critical role of retail milk monitoring in tracking the unprecedented outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) in US dairy cattle. The research suggests that while the virus spread extensively and silently in early 2024, subsequent federal interventions have significantly improved detection and control.When H5N1 was first reported in dairy cows in March 2024, initial identification was delayed because cows were not considered typical hosts for the virus. Early surveillance relied on "passive" reporting, testing only clinically ill animals, which led to a massive underestimation of the virus's reach. Read More
Bird flu killing elephant seals in California
26 February, 2026 In a concerning development for marine conservation, California State Parks and researchers from the University of California, Davis, and UC Santa Cruz have confirmed the state’s first known cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in marine mammals. Seven weaned northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris) at Año Nuevo State Park have tested positive for the virus, marking a significant milestone in the pathogen's trans-species spread along the Pacific Coast.Researchers at the UC Santa Cruz northern elephant seal research program first observed abnormal clinical signs, including tremors, respiratory distress, and physical weakness among the colony on February 19 and 20. At least 30 elephant seals have died during this event so far. This count primarily includes weaned pups, but also at least one adult male. Read More
Argentina: New HPAI H5 Outbreak in Commercial Sector
25 February, 2026 Argentina’s National Health and Agrifood Quality Service (SENASA) confirmed a new outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) subtype H5 in a commercial poultry facility on February 23, 2026. The detection has triggered an immediate, voluntary suspension of poultry product exports to international markets.The outbreak was identified in a heavy breeder flock located in Ranchos, Buenos Aires Province, approximately 120 kilometers southwest of the capital. All birds in the infected flock are being culled. Read More
Germany Reports First Commercial Newcastle Disease Case in 18 Years
24 February, 2026 German veterinary authorities have confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle Disease (ND) in a turkey flock, marking the country’s first occurrence in a commercial farming operation in nearly two decades.The case was officially confirmed on February 20, 2026, at a facility in Neißemünde, located in the state of Brandenburg. The affected flock comprised approximately 18,000 turkeys, with officials reporting an initial mortality rate of 1,000 birds. Read More
EU Signals End to Mass Culling Policy
24 February, 2026 The European Commission is signaling a historic strategic pivot in its management of livestock health crises. Moving away from decades of "stamping out" policies, which relied on the mass culling of infected and at-risk herds/flocks, the Commission is now prioritizing preventative vaccination and trade diplomacy to safeguard the future of Europe’s farming sector.The shift is being spearheaded by the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, who recently issued a stark warning regarding the sustainability of current protocols. Várhelyi argued that the systematic slaughter of millions of animals, many of which are healthy but within a designated risk zone, is no longer economically, socially, or ethically viable. Read More
Receptor Binding Specificity of Feline H5N1 Isolates in South Korea
23 February, 2026 A recent study published in the journal Virulence has investigated the zoonotic potential of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses following fatal cluster infections in felines in South Korea during July 2023. The research aimed to determine if these viruses had acquired the ability to infect humans more efficiently after jumping from birds to mammals. The research team compared two feline-derived H5N1 strains (Feline/GA/2023 and Feline/YS/2023) with a genetically related avian strain (Duck/YC/2022) and a human pandemic H1N1 (pdm09) reference control. Read MoreStudy Reveals Neuroinvasion and Cat-to-Cat Transmission of H5N1
bioRxiv preprint | February 22, 2026 23 February, 2026 The spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A H5N1 to mammalian hosts has raised significant concerns regarding its pandemic potential. Domestic cats are frequently affected by these spillovers, often succumbing to severe systemic and neurological diseases. A new study provides critical insights into how the virus attacks the feline nervous system and highlights alarming differences in transmissibility between recent viral strains.The research outlines the aggressive progression of the H5N1 virus within the cat host. The virus initially replicates in the upper respiratory tract before entering the bloodstream to establish severe viremia. From the blood, it rapidly disseminates to multiple organ systems, including the lungs, liver, and lymphoid tissues, causing widespread cellular damage. Read More
Israel Reports Second H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak of 2026
22 February, 2026 The Israeli Veterinary Services (IVS) have officially reported the second outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in 2026. The outbreak was detected in northern Israel, in Nahalal, and involves a flock of 8,000 19-week-old turkeys.This farm has experienced recurrent infections, with previous outbreaks documented in 2017, 2024, and 2025. Its heightened vulnerability is attributed to its proximity to multiple water reservoirs. Read More
New Strategy Regarding Egg Safety in South Korea
21 February, 2026 The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has recently introduced several new strategies and regulatory updates, extending into 2025 and 2026, aimed at strengthening egg traceability and preventing contamination. The MFDS has announced a strategic shift toward managing egg safety further upstream. Rather than relying primarily on post-production grading and retail-level testing, the government is redirecting its safety protocols, inspections, and contamination control measures to laying hen farms in order to detect and mitigate risks at the source. Read MoreSignificant Escalation of Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Pennsylvania, USA
20 February, 2026 Since the beginning of 2026, the state of Pennsylvania has been confronting one of the most severe waves of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in its history. The first two months of the year have been marked by a dramatic increase in morbidity and associated depopulation. From January through mid-February, more than 7.1 million birds have been culled statewide. Read MoreChina: New Human Case of Avian Influenza A(H10N3)
20 February, 2026 Global health authorities are monitoring a newly reported human infection with avian influenza A(H10N3), following an update issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 20, 2026.The case involves a 34-year-old man from Guangdong Province, China. According to medical reports, symptom onset occurred on December 29, 2025, and the patient was subsequently hospitalized. The latest WHO update indicates that he is currently in stable condition. Preliminary investigations suggest prior exposure to live poultry before the onset of illness. Read More
Scientific Review Confirms: 35-Day Shelf Life for Norwegian Eggs is Safe and Justified
7 February, 2026 A recent assessment by the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) concludes that the scientific basis for the EU’s 28-day shelf-life limit does not apply to Norway, primarily due to the near-absence of Salmonella Enteritidis and strict cold chain requirements.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) currently mandates a maximum shelf life of 28 days for table eggs across the EU/EEA. This limit is heavily based on risk models focused on Salmonella Enteritidis, assuming significant vertical transmission (from infected hens to the egg interior). However, a comprehensive study by VKM, requested by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA), finds that these assumptions do not align with Norwegian production conditions. Read More
Broad-Spectrum Protection Against Infectious Bronchitis
6 February, 2026 Avian Infectious Bronchitis (IB) remains one of the most significant challenges for the global poultry industry, leading to substantial economic losses through respiratory disease, kidney damage, and decreased egg production. Because the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) exhibits high genetic diversity and a tendency for mutation, traditional monovalent vaccines often fail to provide adequate cross-protection against emerging variants. A recent study published in the journal Vaccines evaluates a novel solution: A multi-valent inactivated vaccine designed to provide broad-spectrum protection. Researchers investigated the efficacy of a new vaccine, which contains two globally prevalent IBV strains, M41 (genotype GI-1) and 4-91 (genotype GI-13), alongside antigens for seven other poultry pathogens. The study examined the vaccine's performance in both specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens and commercial layers and breeders under field conditions. Read MoreHigh Mortality Among Antarctic Skuas
Scientific Reports | (2026) 16:4604 6 February, 2026 A recent study published in Scientific Reports provides the first unequivocal diagnosis of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 as a major cause of mortality in Antarctic wildlife. While the virus's presence in the region had been suspected, the HPAI Australis Expedition in March 2024 confirmed that the panzootic has firmly reached the frozen continent, with devastating effects on specific bird populations. Read MoreAvian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in Poland: 2026 Status Update
5 February, 2026 According to official data released by Polish authorities, the country has been grappling with significant outbreaks of both Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (ND) since the onset of 2026.Since the beginning of the year, 26 outbreaks of Avian Influenza have been confirmed in broiler and breeding flocks across Poland. The impact has been felt across a broad spectrum of the poultry sector, with confirmed cases in chicken breeding farms, as well as duck and turkey fattening operations. Read More
Czechia Reports Highest Salmonellosis Rates in Europe
Eurosurveillance 25 January, 2026 A newly published study covering the period 2012–2023 indicates that Czechia maintains the highest notification rate of human salmonellosis in Europe, consistently exceeding the EU average by approximately fivefold. Although the overall trend shows a decline in reported cases, the analysis underscores the central role of the poultry supply chain, particularly eggs and chicken meat, as the primary vehicles of infection. Read MoreFirst Detection of Avian Influenza Antibodies in European Dairy Cattle
24 January, 2026 Authorities in the Netherlands have confirmed the presence of avian influenza (H5N1) antibodies in a dairy cow in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân. This represents the first known instance of a dairy cow in Europe testing positive for antibodies to the virus, following widespread outbreaks in the United States throughout 2024 and 2025.The investigation was triggered following a report to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) on December 24, 2025, regarding two sick cats. One of the cats tested positive for avian influenza and subsequently died. Contact tracing revealed that the deceased feline originated from a dairy farm, prompting a thorough screening of the resident livestock. Initial screenings conducted on January 15 revealed that while no active virus was detectable via PCR testing in the individual milk samples or the bulk tank, one cow tested positive for H5N1 antibodies. Read More
Bovine-Derived H5N1 Virus Demonstrates High Replication Efficiency in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells
bioRxiv preprint January 17, 2026 19 January, 2026 In recent years, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b have spread globally, resulting in unprecedented mortality rates among wild birds and poultry. Beyond its devastating impact on avian populations, the virus has increasingly crossed the species barrier to infect various mammals. In early 2024, a significant spillover event was documented for the first time in U.S. dairy cattle. While human infections associated with this outbreak have remained limited and clinically mild thus far, significant concerns have arisen regarding the virus's potential to adapt for efficient replication within the human upper respiratory tract. Read MoreRecombinant H5N1 Avian Influenza Vaccine for Cats
npj Vaccines (2026) 14 January, 2026 A study recently published in the scientific journal npj Vaccines demonstrates that a recombinant H5 protein-based vaccine effectively prevents severe morbidity and mortality in cats exposed to the H5N1 avian influenza virus, while significantly reducing viral shedding into the environment.In recent years, the H5N1 avian influenza virus (Clade 2.3.4.4b) has emerged as a significant global threat, affecting not only avian species but also a wide range of mammals. Domestic cats are particularly vulnerable due to their high susceptibility to the virus and the increased likelihood of contact with infection sources. Recent outbreaks in the United States have linked feline infections to the consumption of unpasteurized milk from infected dairy farms or contact with diseased wild birds. In felines, the disease typically manifests in a severe form characterized by exceptionally high mortality rates. Read More
Two Human H5N1 Cases Detected via Expanded Subtyping
ASM Case Reports | Jan 2026 10 January, 2026 A new study published in ASM Case Reports describes an expanded surveillance protocol for highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in humans. The report details the detection of two H5 RNA-positive individuals in Alameda County, California, neither of whom had documented exposure to infected animals. These findings highlight the limitations of current exposure-based testing strategies in the United States. Between August 2024 and April 2025, researchers implemented universal H5 subtyping on 4,488 influenza A-positive respiratory samples collected within their hospital system, irrespective of patient exposure history. This expanded screening yielded an H5 positivity rate of 0.04%. Read MoreOutbreak of HPAI in South Korea: 2025/2026 Season Update
6 January, 2026 As of January 2026, South Korea is experiencing a marked increase in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) activity. Official data reported on January 5, 2026, indicate that 30 outbreaks have been confirmed in commercial poultry farms during the 2025/2026 winter season. Epidemiological data demonstrate a pronounced escalation in viral activity, with December 2025 accounting for 22 of these outbreaks, in contrast to the sporadic cases reported between September and November. Read MorePoland: EU Audit Reveals Persistent Gaps in Poultry Salmonella Monitoring
6 January, 2026 A recent follow-up audit conducted by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (Report 2024-8029) has highlighted significant and ongoing failures in the monitoring and control of Salmonella within Poland's poultry sector. The audit, carried out in November 2024, was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of measures implemented by Polish authorities following a 2021 report regarding the traceability and safety of beef and poultry meat. The findings raise serious concerns about the reliability of the industry’s self-monitoring systems. A primary point of contention in the report is the consistent and substantial discrepancy between official testing results and the self-monitoring data provided by food producers. Official controls performed by the authorities show Salmonella detection rates several times higher than those reported by producers, a gap that undermines the credibility of the current monitoring framework. Read MoreNewcastle Disease Resurfaces in Spain
5 January, 2026 Spain’s official veterinary services have reported a series of Newcastle Disease (ND) outbreaks in the Valencia region, specifically within the municipality of Llutxent. This marks the first time the virus has been detected in the country in over three years. The first case was confirmed on December 29, 2025, at a broiler farm housing approximately 15,000 birds. Following intensive surveillance, three additional secondary outbreaks were identified on January 2, 2026. Read MoreIsrael Reports Season’s First H5N1 HPAI Outbreak
4 January, 2026 The Israeli Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security officially confirmed the season's first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza on January 4, 2026. The pathogen was detected in a flock of mature breeding ducks (approximately 41 weeks old) in Moshav Sde Ya'akov, located in the ecologically sensitive Jezreel Valley. Read MoreOver 700 HPAI Outbreaks Reported in European Commercial Farms in 2025
1 January, 2026 The 2025 annual summary report from the European Commission’s Animal Disease Information System (ADIS) reveals a concerning trend regarding the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across the continent.Cumulative data collected between January 1 and December 31, 2025, shows a total of 727 reported outbreaks of H5N1 and H5 strains specifically within the commercial poultry sector. Read More
