17 December 2025
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its 2024 Annual Report on Avian Influenza, providing a comprehensive overview of surveillance activities and disease scope across the continent. Based on data from 31 reporting countries, the report underscores the continued threat posed by the virus to poultry, wild birds, and increasingly, mammals.
A total of 276,621 records were submitted under the Avian Influenza Data Collection (AIDC) framework. Surveillance activities encompassed active and passive monitoring aimed at detecting both highly pathogenic (HPAIV) and low pathogenic (LPAIV) viruses.
Surveillance covered 27,739 establishments. A total of 394 outbreaks were reported within the EU, alongside 66 in non-EU countries. While H5N1 remained the dominant subtype, a notable H7N5 outbreak occurred in a German laying hen farm, likely evolving from a low-pathogenic strain. HPAIV activity peaked during the first quarter of the year.
Wild birds, particularly waterfowl, remain a primary reservoir. In 2024, 910 outbreaks in wild birds were reported across 23 EU countries. Virological testing of over 36,000 animals yielded 1,317 HPAIV detections.
Notable findings include four HPAIV (H5N5) detections in mammals in Norway, as well as positive cases in carnivores in countries such as Slovenia and Germany, emphasizing the zoonotic potential of the virus.
The report confirms that Avian Influenza outbreaks followed a typical seasonal pattern in 2024, with increased incidence observed during the winter months.
