Infectious Diseases 2026

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 More

High 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 More

Avian 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 More

First 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 More

Recombinant 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 More

Outbreak 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 More

Poland: 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 More

Newcastle 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 More

Over 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