Subject: Avian influenza in Europe and surveillance in humans
From: "ECDC respiratory viruses" <[email-masked]>
Cc: "ECDC Info" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:57:49 +0200

Tähelepanu! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu 
saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.

To: National Focal Points for Viral Respiratory Diseases, Operational 
Contact Points for ERVI-Net

CC: National Coordinators

Dear colleagues,

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is raising awareness of an 
unprecedented sharp increase in detections of highly pathogenic avian 
influenza A(H5N1) virus in wild birds this autumn, with many recent 
outbreaks in domestic poultry in the EU/EEA in affected areas. Further 
information can be found via the following link: Unprecedented high level of 
highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe during the 2025 
autumn migration | EFSA <https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9811> 
.

The high circulation of avian influenza virus in bird populations also 
raises the risk of human exposure to infected animals. With this email, we 
would like to bring your attention to the documents published by ECDC 
related to zoonotic avian influenza surveillance, investigation and response 
measures, including enhanced surveillance and targeted testing in humans.

The 
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-and-targeted-testing-early-detection-zoonotic-influenza-humans> 
ECDC guidance for surveillance and targeted testing for the early detection 
of zoonotic influenza in humans during the winter period can be found here 
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-and-targeted-testing-early-detection-zoonotic-influenza-humans> 
. During the influenza season, a risk-based approach is suggested for the 
surveillance of zoonotic avian influenza based on the knowledge of avian 
influenza outbreaks in the specific geographical areas. Healthcare workers, 
including primary care workers, should be made aware of the epidemiological 
situation in animal populations in the region. In areas with ongoing avian 
influenza outbreaks in animals, healthcare workers should ask about history 
of exposure to animals, particularly in patients with symptoms compatible 
with zoonotic influenza infection.

Individuals exposed to animals infected with zoonotic avian influenza virus 
should be monitored for 10-14 days after last exposure and, if they develop 
symptoms, self-isolate and be tested immediately.

More on testing and detection of zoonotic influenza virus in humans can be 
found in the investigation protocol of human cases of avian influenza virus 
infections in EU/EEA 
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/avian-influenza-investigation-protocol-human-cases> 
. Together with EFSA, ECDC has also published a guidance for coordinated 
investigation and management of zoonotic avian influenza viruses according 
to a One Health approach, which can be found here 
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/coordinated-one-health-investigation-outbreak-zoonotic-avian-influenza.pdf> 
.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would have any questions or 
require further information.

Kind regards,

ECDC Respiratory Viruses team

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

Gustav III:s boulevard 40, 169 73 Solna, Sweden

Phone +46 (0)8 58 60 10 00

www.ecdc.europa.eu

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