As 2024 draws to a close, new cases of avian influenza were reported globally in wild and domestic birds. A notable increase has been observed in South-Central Europe, where poultry farms are fueling the spread. Experts closely monitoring the developments emphasize that the overall risk to public health remains low.

Between September and December 2024, avian influenza outbreaks increased in both wild and domestic birds, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reported, citing data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU reference laboratory (EURL). Although human-to-human transmission remains unconfirmed, the virus has significantly expanded, especially in poultry-rich areas of South-Central Europe, where high farm concentrations contribute to rapid disease spread.

The A(H5N5) strain, responsible for severe outbreaks in wild birds, has extended its range geographically and across different species. However, experts have yet to detect new cases in mammals. While the risk for the general public in Europe remains low, the ECDC has raised concerns about the potential risk for those directly exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments, categorizing it as low to medium.

In the United States, a surge of avian influenza cases has affected over 800 establishments in 16 states, particularly in California. Of concern is the detection of the A(H5N1) virus strain in pigs, which could lead to the virus spreading among different livestock species.