First Human Case of Avian Influenza A(H9N2) Detected in the EU

25 March 2026

Public health authorities in Italy have reported the first-ever human infection of avian influenza A(H9N2) within the European Union. The case, identified in the Lombardy region, involves a traveler returning from a non-European country (adult male returning from Senegal) where the virus is known to circulate in avian populations. The patient, who has pre-existing medical conditions, is currently receiving specialized treatment in hospital isolation.