ECDC publishes avian influenza overview for February to May 2021

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has published an overview of avian influenza for the period February to May 2021. Between 24 February and 14 May 2021, 1,672 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus detections were reported in 24 EU and EEA countries, and the UK, including 580 cases in poultry, 1,051 in wild birds and 41 in captive birds.

In major findings from the overview: 

• Poland reported the greatest number of detections in poultry, with 297 outbreaks occurring in a densely populated poultry area over a short time period. They also reported 56 detections in wild birds.  
• Germany reported 168 outbreaks in poultry and 603 detections in wild birds. 
• Denmark reported 167 detections in wild birds. 
• A second peak of HPAI-associated wild bird mortality was observed from February to April 2021 in north-west Europe.

Since the last overview report, two human infections due to A(H5N6) HPAI were reported from China and Laos, and ten human cases due to A(H9N2) low pathogenic avian influenza virus were identified in China and Cambodia. The ECDC assess that the risk to the general population is very low, and the risk for occupationally exposed people is low.

Source: ECDC, 31 May 2021