As 2025 draws to a close, Europe has experienced a significant surge in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly among wild bird populations. This alarming trend has led to outbreaks across numerous poultry farms and an increase in detections among carnivorous mammals, prompting public health officials to monitor the situation closely.
Despite the ongoing incidents within animal populations, experts assert that the overall risk to human health remains minimal.
According to the latest quarterly report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL), between 6 September and 28 November 2025, there have been 442 reported outbreaks of HPAI in domesticated birds and 2,454 occurrences in wild birds across 29 European nations.
Impacts on Wild Birds
The current escalation in HPAI cases among wild birds marks the highest levels observed for this period since 2016. Waterfowl species, including ducks, geese, and swans, have been particularly vulnerable, along with significant mortality rates recorded in common cranes. Almost all of these instances are traced back to a newly introduced variant of the HPAI A(H5N1) genotype that has previously circulated in the region.
The remarkable uptick in infections may be attributed to a combination of factors such as a lack of pre-existing immunity among wild bird populations and the heightened transmissibility of the circulating viral strain. Scientists predict that elevated levels of virus activity in wild birds will continue in the upcoming weeks, likely tapering off toward the end of winter.
Outbreaks in Poultry Farms
The extensive outbreaks affecting poultry farms across Europe predominantly stem from wild bird interactions, primarily through indirect contact. Turkeys have been notably impacted, and there has been an increase in positive cases among vaccinated duck populations. Factors leading to heightened infection rates include the close proximity to highly contaminated environments surrounding poultry farms, coupled with certain climatic factors such as humidity.
Experts recommend that domestic birds should be housed in environments removed from areas with circulating HPAI viruses or reported wild bird mass mortality events. Implementing strict biosecurity measures and enhancing surveillance protocols are crucial to identifying new outbreaks swiftly and mitigating risks to animal health.
Source: EFSA
