Map 1. Global distribution of AIV with zoonotic potential* observed since 1 October 2023 (i.e. current wave)

Note: Symbols may overlap for events in similar geographic locations.

Map 2. Global distribution of AIV with zoonotic potential* observed in the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 (i.e. previous wave)

Note: Symbols may overlap for events in similar geographic locations.

Recent publications

MAMMALS

APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). 2024. Federal and State Veterinary, Public Health Agencies Share Update on HPAI Detection in Kansas, Texas Dairy Herds. 2024. In: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture. Greenport, USDA. reference

Minnesota Board of Animal Health. 2024. Stevens County goat tests positive for same influenza virus affecting poultry. 2024. In: News. Saint Paul, Minnesota Board of Animal Health. reference

Arruda, B., Baker, A.L.V., Buckley, A., Anderson, T.K., Torchetti, M., Bergeson, N.H., Killian, M.L. & Lantz, K. 2024. Divergent Pathogenesis and Transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in Swine. Emerg Infect Dis, 30(4):738-751. reference

ENETWILD Consortium, Occhibove Flavia, Knauf Sascha, Sauter-Louis Carola, Staubach Christoph, Allendorf Valerie, Anton Alina, et al. 2024. The role of mammals in Avian Influenza: a review. EFSA Supporting Publications, 21 (3): 8692E. reference

Ly, H. 2023. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infection of companion animals. Virulence, 15(1):2289780. reference

Lee, K., Yeom, M., Vu, T.T.H., Do, H.Q., Na, W., Lee, M., Jeong, D.G., Cheon, D.S. & Song, D. 2023. Characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses isolated from cats in South Korea, 2023. Emerg Microbes Infect, 13(1):2290835. reference

Rimondi, A., Vanstreels, R.E.T., Olivera, V., Donini, A., Lauriente, M.M. & Uhart, M.M. 2024. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses from Multispecies Outbreak, Argentina, August 2023. Emerg Infect Dis, 30(4):812-814. reference

Plaza, P.I., Gamarra-Toledo, V., Rodríguez Euguí, J., Rosciano, N. & Lambertucci, S.A. 2024. Pacific and Atlantic sea lion mortality caused by highly pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in South America. Travel Med Infect Dis, 59:102712. reference

Pulit-Penaloza, J.A., Brock, N., Belser, J.A., Sun, X., Pappas, C., Kieran, T.J., Thakur, P.B., et al. 2024. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus of clade 2.3.4.4b isolated from a human case in Chile causes fatal disease and transmits between co-housed ferrets. Emerg Microbes Infect, 2332667. reference

Plaza PI, Gamarra-Toledo V, Euguí JR, Lambertucci SA. 2024. Recent Changes in Patterns of Mammal Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Worldwide. Emerg Infect Dis, 30(3):444-452. reference

WILD BIRDS

Mills G. 2024. Avian flu causes concerning falls in seabird numbers. Vet Rec, 194(5):172-173. reference

Kim, J.Y., Jeong, S., Kim, D.W., Lee, D.W., Lee, D.H., Kim, D. & Kwon, J.H. 2024. Genomic epidemiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in wild birds in South Korea during 2021–2022: Changes in viral epidemic patterns. Virus Evolution, 10(1):veae014. reference

Sheta, B., Waheed, O., Ayad, E., Habbak, L. & Hyder, A. 2024. Constitutive immunity is influenced by avian influenza virus-induced modification of gut microbiota in Eurasian teal (Anas crecca). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol, 278:109867. reference

Mao, Q., Li, Z., Li, Y., Zhang, Y., Liu, S., Yin, X., Peng, C., et al. 2024. H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in migratory birds exhibiting low pathogenicity in mallards increases its risk of transmission and spread in poultry. Vet Microbiol, 292:110038. reference

DOMESTIC

Wibawa, H., Wibowo, P.E., Supriyadi, A., Lestari, L., Silaban, J., Fuadi, A.A., Fiqri, A.J., et al. 2024. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Clade 2.3.4.4b in Domestic Ducks, Indonesia, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis, 30(3):586-590. reference

Paternina, D., Herazo, R., Oviedo, M. & Mattar, S. 2024. Dramatic re-emergence of avian influenza in Colombia and Latin America. Travel Med Infect Dis, 102711. reference

Monjane, I.V.A., Djedje, H., Tamele, E., Nhabomba, V., Tivane, A.R., Massicame, Z.E., Arone, D.M., et al. 2024. H7N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Mozambique, 2023. Emerg Microbes Infect, 13(1):2321993. reference

Al-Natour, M.Q., Rohaim, M.A., El Naggar, R.F., Abdelsabour, M.A., Afify, A.F., Madbouly, Y.M. & Munir, M. 2024. Respiratory disease complex due to mixed viral infections in chicken in Jordan. Poult Sci, 103(4):103565. reference

Valentin, J., Ingrao, F., Rauw, F. & Lambrecht, B. 2024. Protection conferred by an H5 DNA vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza in chickens: The effect of vaccination schedules. Vaccine, 42(7):1487-1497. reference

Mao, Q., Zhou, S., Liu, S., Peng, C., Yin, X., Li, J., Zhang, Y., Zhou, W., Hou, G., Jiang, W. & Liu, H. 2024. Emergence of novel reassortant H3N3 avian influenza viruses with increased pathogenicity in chickens in 2023. Emerg Microbes Infect, 13(1):2287683. reference

VIRUSES

Xing, X., Shi, J., Cui, P., Yan, C., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, C., et al. 2024. Evolution and biological characterization of H5N1 influenza viruses bearing the clade 2.3.2.1 hemagglutinin gene. Emerg Microbes Infect, 13(1):2284294. reference

ASSAY

Welch, J.L., Shrestha, R., Hutchings, H., Pal, N., Levings, R., Robbe-Austerman, S., Palinski, R. & Shanmuganatham, K.K. 2024. Inactivation of highly transmissible livestock and avian viruses including influenza A and Newcastle disease virus for molecular diagnostics. Front Vet Sci, 11:1304022. reference

Szeredi, L., Thuma, Á., Gyuris, É., Ursu, K., Bálint, Á. & Solymosi, N. 2024. Comparative examination of a rapid immunocytochemical test for the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in domestic birds in field outbreaks. Avian Pathol, 2024 Mar 4:1-6. reference

ASSESSMENT

Miller, L.N., Saadawi, W.K., Hamouda, W.B., Elgari, A.S., Abdulkarim, E.A., Lmrabet, A.M.M., Elbukhmari, A.E., et al. 2024. Assessing One Health capacities for transboundary zoonotic diseases at the Libya-Tunisia border. One Health Outlook, 6(1):3. reference

Mahadevan, C., Mikkilineni, R., Vyas, N. & Karabasanavar, N. 2024. Assessment of Knowledge and Biosecurity Practices Related to Avian Influenza Among Poultry Workers in a District of South India. J Public Health Manag Pract, 2024 Mar 15. reference

Tammes, P. 2024. Spread of avian influenza among poultry specialists in England during winter 2022/23: National poultry housing order and environmental drivers. Dialogues Health, 4:100165. reference

HUMANS

Wang, Y., Yang, C., Liu, Y., Zhang, J., Qu, W., Liang, J., Tu, C., et al. 2024. Seroprevalence of Avian Influenza A(H5N6) Virus Infection, Guangdong Province, China, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis, 30(4):826-828. reference

Zhuang, Y., Wang, M., Liang, L., Mao, Y., Wang, K., Yang, S., Deng, A., et al. 2024. First Known Human Death After Infection With the Avian Influenza A/H3N8 Virus: Guangdong Province, China, March 2023. Clin Infect Dis, 78(3):646-650. reference

FAO's support to countries

Global level

• UNESCO/CMS/FAO/Ramsar/IUCN webinar on AI and wildlife - How to protect wildlife from avian flu in UNESCO World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar sites [link] will be held on 19 April 2024, 15:00-17:30 CET (09:00-11:30 GMT-5) [register here].
• The United States of America released the information on HPAI virus detection in cattle and goats, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b from samples was confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). FAO is monitoring the situation through OFFLU in collaboration with other partners [link1, link2, link3].
• The FAO Virtual Learning Centers have launched a new self-paced virtual learning course on avian influenza (AI). The course aims to raise awareness of AI and to develop capacity on its detection and prevention. This introductory course is intended to be useful for veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals and others working in the poultry industries. There are six short modules (15-20 minutes each), can be used as a ready-reference resource as needed. It supports multiple platforms including smartphones and tablets. [link]
• OFFLU (WOAH/FAO network of expertise on animal influenza) contributed information on the genetic and antigenic characteristics of currently circulating avian and swine influenza viruses for pandemic preparedness purposes at the WHO Consultation on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2024-2025 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season. [link]
• On 21 December 2023 OFFLU (WOAH/FAO network of expertise on animal influenza) released its statement "Continued expansion of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5 in wildlife in South America and incursion into the Antarctic region”. [link]

Regional/country level

• Americas
  
  • The Outbreak Costing Tool (OutCosT) has been implemented in Bolivia and Panama to estimate the economic impact of HPAI outbreaks.
  • A joint technical meeting on HPAI was held with countries under emergency technical cooperation programme (TCP) and Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA) projects on 12-14 December 2023 [link], the emergency TCP project has been extended till June 2024. Under this TCP project, FAO has facilitated bi-weekly meetings between veterinary services of 10 countries in the region to discuss and exchange experiences on several HPAI topics including epidemiological updates, control measures, surveillance, economic impacts and risk communication.
  • FAO ECTAD at regional and country (Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru) levels are supporting activities to respond to HPAI outbreaks e.g. simulations exercises, HPAI diagnostic trainings, information materials.
  • GF-TADs regional webinar was held on 5 December 2023 on southward expansion of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5 in wildlife in South America and Antarctica, epidemiological surveillance and evolution of avian influenza virus in Latin America and the Caribbean, knowledge gaps, collaboration with OFFLU, vaccination strategies and management of vaccinated animal populations, surveillance and trade limitations, and actions within the Implementation Framework of Resolution No. 28 adopted at the 90th WOAH World Assembly (2023).
  • Currently, Bolivia, Dominican Republic (for prophylaxis; no outbreak reported), Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay are using vaccines to prevent and/or control HPAI, while some other countries are evaluating implementation.

• Africa
  • FAO ECTAD regional offices in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) is supporting countries in the region to enhance biosecurity in poultry farms which contributes to minimising HPAI incursion. Poultry value chain risk assessment along the entire poultry value chain is planned in 10 countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia as a part of ECTAD's ongoing support for HPAI risk mitigation/management.
  • FAO ECTAD regional office in Western and Central Africa (WCA) organized a regional training workshop on good sampling practices at the Veterinary School in Dakar (EISMV) from 23 to 26 January with special attention to biosafety and biosecurity. A total of 18 participants from 10 countries in West, Central and East Africa received theoretical and practical training in collecting diagnostic specimens from poultry.
  • FAO ECTAD WCA is monitoring suspected HPAI outbreaks in multiple countries in the region and providing various supports including provision of laboratory reagents and consumables as well as transport of diagnostic specimens to the reference laboratory (IZS-Ve) for further confirmaiton and sequencing.
  • The VLC in West Africa will deliver a four-week Avian Influenza tutored course in English and French. Up to 600 students will be selected to join, applications are open at this link.
  • FAO ECTAD Benin supported epidemiological investigation of suspected avian influenza outbreak in Parakou. [link]
  • Burkina Faso released an alert for poultry farmers regarding HPAI outbreak in Ouagadougou on 6 March 2024. FAO has supported the veterinary services to conduct field investigation and implement response measures (Stamping out, carcass disposal, disinfection, quarantine and awareness creation). Support for laboratory reagents, consumables, personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as transport of samples to the reference laboratory (IZSVe) for confirmation and sequencing has also been providing to the country.
  • In Guinea, FAO ECTAD has supported suspected HPAI outbreak investigation in Labé, setting up active surveillance in a high-risk area and raising community awareness of the need to comply with biosafety measures [link]. The new good guidelines on biosecurity practices and indicators for the poultry sector were introduced to 40 stakeholders at a workshop on building producer resilience held in Forecariah. [link]
  • Niger confirmed an outbreak of H5N1 HPAI by the Niamey Central Laboratory (LABOCEL) on 27 January 2024 on a family farm in Niamey. The biosafety equipment (personal protective equipment [PPE], disinfectants, bags for biohazard waste), which FAO ECTAD prepared at the beginning of current influenza season under a HPAI prevention and control project, supported General Directorate of Veterinary Services in conducting rapid response.x
  • In Nigeria, H5N1 HPAI was confirmed in peacock farm in Kebbi State and in geese in Plateau State. FAO ECTAD supported the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other One Health stakeholders in conducting follow-up outbreak investigations and ensuring disease containment, provided PPE, disinfectants, sampling equipment and biohazard bags for the field surveillance; awareness raising have been conducted in live poultry markets in neighbouring towns of biosecurity measures, in particular, the risk of mixing different species in the same space/location was emphasised.

• North Africa and Middle East
• FAO ECTAD Egypt in the Regional office for Near East and North Africa (RNE) is supporting the implementation of the targeted risk-based surveillance plan for 2024 to understand the prevalence of Avian Influenza sub-types currently circulating in Egypt and to detect incursion of new subtypes as early as possible.
• FAO ECTAD Egypt supported the development of National One Health strategic framework which has been endorsed by the Government.

• Asia
• Since October 2023, Cambodia confirmed H5N1 HPAI in birds in seven provinces, while nine human cases reported. FAO Cambodia is collaborating National Animal Health and Production Research Institute (NAHPRI)/the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), WHO and other partners, participated in joint risk assessment, and providing technical assistance, awareness materials for distribution, and some PPE. [link1, link2]
• FAO ECTAD in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) organizes a quarterly influenza coordination call on 6 February 2024 with ECTAD countries in Asia to discuss progress and challenges around avian influenza surveillance in the region.
• FAO ECTAD Indonesia supported the participation of four animal health laboratories in a regional proficiency testing for avian and swine diseases being organized by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).
• FAO ECTAD in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Bureau of Animal Industry, organized a Coordination Meeting and Simulation Exercise for Animal Disease Emergencies (Avian Influenza and foot-and-mouth disease for Visayas on 12-16 February and South Luzon on 18-22 March. The meeting specifically discussed the Philippine’s Avian Influenza (AI) Vaccination Guidelines to seek inputs and agreement of local veterinarians and animal health workers. To date, the same activity has been conducted in 13 regions covering 60 provinces across the country and will be conducted in North Luzon clusters in April to cover the remaining 22 provinces in 4 regions.

• Europe and Central Asia
• The Outbreak Costing Tool (OutCosT) to estimate the cost of outbreaks and their control is being adapted to poultry diseases and is being validated with real HPAI outbreak data from countries in three continents.

Recommendations for affected countries and those at risk

FAO recommends intensified surveillance and awareness raising by national authorities.

General recommendations
It is important to report sick or dead birds – both wild birds and poultry - or wild mammals to local authorities (veterinary services, public health officials, community leaders etc.). These should be tested for avian influenza viruses.

Recommendations to poultry producers
Farmers and poultry producers should step up their biosecurity measures in order to prevent potential virus introduction from wild birds or their faeces.

Recommendations to hunters
Hunting associations and wildlife authorities should be aware that avian influenza viruses might be present in waterfowl and some other species hunted and that hunting, handling and dressing of shot game carries the risk of spreading avian influenza viruses to susceptible poultry.

Recommendations to national authorities
Increase surveillance efforts for the early detection of influenza viruses in poultry and dead wild species including certain mammals.

For full recommendations including non-avian species please see [link].

Important links

• The list of wild bird and mammalian species which have been infected with H5Nx HPAI [link]
• OFFLU Continued expansion of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5 in wildlife in South America and incursion into the Antarctic region
• Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds H5N1 High pathogenicity avian influenza in wild birds - Unprecedented conservation impacts and urgent needs
• EFSA Avian influenza overview September–December 2023
• EFSA Bird Flu Rader and Migration Mapping Tool
• ECOWAS, FAO, USAID Report on the Regional Consultative Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in West Africa. Accra, Ghana, 30 May – 2 June 2023
• OFFLU website
• OFFLU Avian influenza matching (OFFLU-AIM) report
• FAO Carcass management guidelines
• FAO guidelines for veterinary laboratory testing protocols for priority zoonotic diseases in Africa
• WHO influenza at the human animal interface monthly risk assessments
• WHO Public health resource pack for countries experiencing outbreaks of influenza in animals
• WOAH High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI)- Situation Report
• FAO-WHO-WOAH-UNEP One Health Joint Plan of Action, 2022–2026

Disclaimer

Information provided herein is current as of the date of issue. Information added or changed since the last Global AIV with Zoonotic Potential situation update appears in orange. Human cases are depicted in the geographic location of their report. For some cases, exposure may have occurred in one geographic location but reported in another. For cases with unknown onset date, reporting date was used instead. FAO compiles information drawn from multiple national (Ministries of Agriculture or Livestock, Ministries of Health, Provincial Government websites; Centers for Disease Prevention and Control [CDC]) and international sources (World Health Organization [WHO], World Organisation for Animal Health [WOAH]), as well as peer reviewed scientific articles. FAO makes every effort to ensure, but does not guarantee, accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information. The designation employed and the presentation of material on the map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.