Stockholm, Sweden · 22 February 2026 — The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published their joint avian influenza overview for the period December 2025 to February 2026, documenting 2,514 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) detections across 32 European countries. The report, published on 22 February 2026, also recorded the first potential spillover event from wild birds to dairy cattle in the Netherlands — a development that has heightened scrutiny of the virus's capacity to cross species barriers.
The reporting period covered 29 November 2025 to 27 February 2026, providing a comprehensive epidemiological picture of HPAI activity in Europe during the peak winter season for avian influenza transmission.
Scale of Detections Across Europe
The 2,514 HPAI A(H5) detections recorded during the reporting period comprised two distinct categories:
- 406 detections in domestic birds (poultry) — representing outbreaks on commercial poultry farms that triggered biosecurity and culling protocols
- 2,108 detections in wild birds — reflecting sustained circulation of the virus in wild bird populations, which serve as the primary reservoir and vector for geographic spread
Waterfowl — including ducks, geese, and swans — were disproportionately affected among wild bird species. These species are known to be particularly susceptible to H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses and play a key role in spreading the virus along migratory flyways.
Epidemiological Trends: A Declining Trajectory
While the total number of detections remained at high levels, the weekly number of detections showed a declining trend following a peak at the beginning of the reporting period. This seasonal pattern is consistent with the typical epidemiology of avian influenza in Europe, where transmission peaks in late autumn and early winter when migratory birds arrive and temperatures favour virus survival, then declines as winter progresses and bird movements stabilise.
The declining trajectory offered some reassurance to poultry producers and public health authorities, though experts cautioned that HPAI viruses are now endemic in European wild bird populations and can resurge at any time when conditions favour transmission.
First Potential Cattle Spillover in the Netherlands
Perhaps the most significant finding in the report was the documentation of the first potential spillover event from wild birds to dairy cattle in the Netherlands. This development echoes the sustained transmission of H5N1 in US dairy cattle that has been ongoing since 2024, though the European situation appears to involve a single spillover event rather than established cow-to-cow transmission.
In the United States, H5N1 has demonstrated the ability to spread between cows within dairy facilities, with the virus targeting mammary tissue and causing conditions such as necrotizing mastitis. Research has identified infectious H5N1 in aerosols during milking operations and in farm wastewater, suggesting that standard biosecurity measures may need to be adapted to account for these airborne and environmental transmission pathways.
The ECDC-EFSA report noted a slight increase in detections in mammals generally during the reporting period, indicating that the virus continues to find opportunities to cross species barriers beyond its avian hosts.
Human Cases: Low Risk but Continued Vigilance
Globally, 10 human cases of avian influenza were reported during the December 2025–February 2026 timeframe, none of which were fatal:
| Country | Virus Strain | Number of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | A(H5N1) | 1 |
| China | A(H9N2) | 8 |
| China | A(H10N3) | 1 |
Most human cases involved exposure to poultry or poultry environments, and there was no documented human-to-human transmission. The clinical presentation of cases varied, but none resulted in death — a pattern consistent with the generally mild presentation of recent H5N1 human infections, which have often manifested as conjunctivitis rather than severe respiratory disease.
The ECDC and EFSA concluded that the risk posed by HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses circulating in Europe remained:
- Low for the general public in the EU/EEA
- Low-to-moderate for individuals occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments
The Broader Global Picture
The European report sits within a broader global context of sustained HPAI activity. In the United States, H5N1 continued to circulate in dairy cattle through 2025 and into 2026, with notable clusters reported in Idaho in June 2026 involving dozens of dairy herds. In sub-Saharan Africa, countries reported ongoing HPAI outbreaks in poultry since late 2025, with some regions seeing unusual patterns of spread and the introduction of new viral strains. In Australia, the virus arrived in 2026, impacting wild bird populations and prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely to protect the agricultural sector.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has emphasised the "One Health" approach, calling for enhanced surveillance in both domestic and wild animals, improved biosecurity on farms, and closer collaboration between animal health and public health authorities.
Food Safety Reassurance
Authorities including the USDA, FDA, and their European counterparts maintain that the commercial food supply is safe. Pasteurised milk and dairy products are considered safe, as the pasteurisation process effectively inactivates the virus. Properly cooked poultry meat also poses no risk of H5N1 transmission.
However, consumption of unpasteurised (raw) milk has been identified as a risk factor for human exposure to the virus, a concern that has gained prominence as raw milk consumption has increased in some countries despite public health warnings.
Implications for European Agriculture
The sustained high level of HPAI detections has significant implications for European agriculture. Poultry outbreaks trigger culling of affected flocks, movement restrictions, and trade implications — all of which carry economic costs for producers. The report's finding that over 90 percent of poultry outbreaks were attributed to primary introduction from wild birds highlights the difficulty of preventing incursions through on-farm biosecurity alone.
The investigation of the Netherlands cattle spillover event is likely to inform future biosecurity recommendations, particularly regarding the interface between wild bird habitats, poultry operations, and dairy farms. As the virus continues to evolve and explore new host species, the One Health framework — integrating human, animal, and environmental health surveillance — remains the most promising approach for early detection and response.
Sources
- ECDC/EFSA, Avian influenza overview December 2025–February 2026, published 22 February 2026.
- ECDC, Avian influenza in humans: surveillance and disease data.
- WOAH, High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in cattle.
- CDC, Bird Flu Situation Summary.
- FAO, Sub-Saharan Africa HPAI situation updates.
FIRAT Editorial Board
Institutional Research Desk · Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
The collective editorial and research translation board of FIRAT, synthesising peer-reviewed evidence, policy briefs, and division milestones across our seven foundational research pillars.
