ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Avian influenza (AI) is a significant disease affecting chickens and other avian species. Wild birds are thought to contribute to the virus transmission. The present study intends to explore the existence of AI type A virus in wild birds at the Six April Zoo, Khartoum State, Sudan . A total of 42 cloacal and tracheal swabs were collected from clinically healthy individuals belonging to five different wild bird species . The selected wild bird species were Common crane Grus grus, Sudan crowned crane Balearica pavonina, Helmeted guinea fowl Numida meleagris, Duck sp. Anatidae and Chestnut-billed sand grouse Pterocles exustus . Swabs were examined for AI virus antigen using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, and all tested swabs produced positive results . The swab samples were inoculated into embryonated chicken eggs. The isolated virus was identified by AGID test and polymerase chain reaction . The virus was isolated from swabs collected from Grus grus, Balearica p...

  By Andrey Gulivanov - Taiga bean goose, CC BY 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=161227833 __ A wild Bean Goose in Łódzkie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7127 ____

  Abstract In the austral summer 2023/2024, H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was reported for the first time in Antarctica . Concerns of HPAIV causing high mortality of seabirds and mammals prompted immediate efforts to track its spread and impact on endemic wildlife. In March 2024, we visited the Danger Islands archipelago , that hosts two mega-colonies of Adélie penguins , and observed an unusual mortality estimated in thousands of Adélie penguins and other species . Swabs and tissues were collected for molecular detection of infectious agents from 49 carcasses, and additional tissues for histology from a selection of 9 carcasses. We unexpectedly detected Pasteurella multocida DNA in 46 of 49 individuals, and diagnosed avian cholera , and not HPAI , as the cause of death of most of these animals. By metagenomics, we retrieved the genomic sequences of the Pasteurella multocida strain which caused the epizootic, and the phylogenetic analysis showed a close rela...

  A mute swan in Mazowieckie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7123 ____

Samples from Qieding District, Kaohsiung City and Annan District, Tainan City were sent to the National Laboratory, Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), for diagnosis. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 subtype were confirmed by VRI. The sampling spots were disinfected. Surrounding poultry farms within 3 km radius of the sampling spot are under intensified surveillance for 28 days. By Cp9asngf - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27358997 A dead black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) was found in Sicao, Annan District, Tainan City. The specimen was sent to National Reference Laboratory for testing. It was confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on December 7. ___ By Photo by Laitche, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46904763 A dead Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) was found in Qieding District, Kaohsiung City. The specimen was sent to National Reference Laboratory for testing. It was confirmed...

A wild Greylag Goose in Podlaskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7096 ____

  By MPF - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=102468449 Approximately 30 wild birds on an island near Lüderitz were observed exhibiting clinical signs consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Enhanced and continuous surveillance activities are ongoing to assess the extent of infection and monitor potential spread. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7120 ____

  Abstract In autumn 2025, an unprecedented mass mortality event was observed among the western migrating subpopulation of Eurasian cranes (Grus grus) in Germany . Systemic infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 , clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype DI.2.1, was identified as the cause of acute death. The gregarious behavior of cranes at feeding and resting sites likely has contributed to the rapid and massive dissemination of viruses within the crane population. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funder Information Declared European Union, 101084171 Source:  Link:  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.08.692485v1 ____

{Greylag Goose} {Mallards} A Greylag Goose, two Mallards  in Aqmola Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7093 ____

  Abstract Wild migratory birds play a major role in the global spread of viruses, yet the diversity, host range and transmission patterns of viruses harboured by migratory species in Aotearoa/New Zealand remain largely unknown . This knowledge gap is critical given New Zealand's position along major migratory flyways spanning Oceania, Antarctica and east Asia , where understanding viral diversity is key to assessing the risk of viral introductions such as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and viral dispersal across these regions. To address this, we conducted the first large-scale metatranscriptomic survey of wild birds from New Zealand and its subantarctic islands , collecting 1,348 samples from 31 host species spanning four avian orders . We identified 118 avian viruses from 17 families , including 107 novel species , greatly expanding our knowledge of avian viral diversity. Viral communities differed significantly by host order and foraging behaviour, with scavenger birds...

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 rarely infects mammals. In 2024-2025, however, genotypes B3.13 and D1.1 caused two independent spillovers into U.S. dairy cattle . By analysing 26,930 complete H5N1 genomes from global surveillance , we identified 73 major viral groups , most of which show continent-specific distribution in Europe, Asia, Africa , and North America . North American viruses exhibit higher genetic diversity in specific viral segments , including variants potentially associated with mammalian adaptation . Both dairy-cattle-associated B3.13 and D1.1 genotypes originate from the same geographic macro-area , suggesting a possible regional hotspot where avian-mammalian interfaces may facilitate viral adaptation. Our findings place the U.S. outbreaks in a global framework and indicate that North American H5N1 may be predisposed to cross-species transmission. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funder Information Decl...

  A Common Teal in Jeollanam-do Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7034 ____

  Abstract Adding to the global burden of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, an unprecedented five HPAI H7 outbreaks occurred globally in 2024 . Of these, three occurred in southeast Australia , with the independent emergence of HPAI H7N9, H7N8, and H7N3 , resulting in the destruction of 2 million poultry . Historical data demonstrates that H7 outbreaks in Australia do not occur randomly , rather, there is a strong association between the timing of the previous H7 outbreaks and rainfall patterns in southeastern Australia. We aimed to address a hypothesis wherein prior to H7 outbreaks in poultry, there was a detectable change in H7 prevalence and/or virus diversity in wild bird populations . We addressed this using virological and serological surveillance data generated from multiple programs. Despite the collection of thousands of samples, there was only weak evidence to support our hypothesis, which provides strong incentive to evaluate current surveillance approaches...

  {By Pierre Dalous - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29066936 } This event will collect the detections made by sampling carried out in 2025. Report (LNR): 2025/005921 B. A vulture (Gyps fulvus) collected at Quintanas de Valdelucio. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7077 ____

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) represents a threat to animal and human health, with the ongoing H5N1 outbreak within the H5 2.3.4.4b clade being one of the largest on record . However, it remains unclear what factors have contributed to its intercontinental spread . We use Bayesian additive regression trees , a machine learning method designed for probabilistic modelling of complex nonlinear phenomena , to construct species distribution models (SDMs) for HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b presence. We identify factors driving geospatial patterns of infection and project risk distributions across Europe . Our models are time-stratified to capture both seasonal changes in risk and shifts in epidemiology associated with the succession of H5N6/H5N8 by H5N1 within the clade . While previous studies aimed to model HPAI presence from physical geography, we explicitly consider wild bird ecology by including estimates of bird species richness, abundance of specific taxa, and “abundanc...

  Abstract Laridae birds, such as gulls, are known reservoirs of H13 and H16 low pathogenic avian influenza subtypes . However, during the recent outbreaks linked to the reemergence of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b of the Goose/Guangdong lineage, European populations of those birds suffered significant losses. HPAI cases were registered not only along the coastlines but also inland areas , particularly in France and Central Europe . During a diagnostic investigation of a group of Laridae birds , part of a HPAIV outbreak registered in the South of France in 2023, larval stages of Ornithodoros maritimus , a nidicolous soft tick parasitizing seabirds, were recovered from a slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei). Affected birds exhibited gross and histopathological lesions consistent with systemic HPAI infection . Immunohistochemistry revealed marked neurotropism , oculotropism and multicentric epitheliotropism . Viral isolation and sequencin...

  Abstract Between 6 September and 14 November 2025, 1,443 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus detections were reported in wild birds across 26 countries in Europe . This number was four times higher than in the same period in 2024 and the highest overall for those weeks since at least 2016 . Almost all the detections ( 99% ) were due to HPAI A(H5N1) viruses, and most of them belonged to EA-2024-DI.2.1, a new sub-lineage of the EA-2024-DI.2 genotype . These HPAI virus detections in wild birds involved increasing numbers of waterfowl species (ducks, geese and swans) that were found positive in large parts of Europe . In addition, high numbers of common cranes were affected across a wide band stretching from northeast to southwest Europe . Given the unprecedented high circulation of HPAI virus in the wild bird population compared to previous years, and the associated high environmental contamination , strict biosecurity measures and early detection of infected poultr...

  Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (HPAIV) H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b, has emerged as a significant zoonotic threat . H5N1 is widely circulating in wild birds , and an increasing number of spillover events have been observed in a wide range of mammalian species . These cases are primarily reported in countries on the European and American continents . This review describes the likely transmission routes, lesions, and clinical manifestations of HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in naturally infected mammals, with a focus on the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). In the analysis, pathological findings were categorized by organ system and host species , which were further divided into terrestrial mammals, marine mammals, and dairy cattle . The most frequently reported clinical manifestations were neurological and respiratory signs in marine mammals and neurological signs and lethargy in terrestrial mammals . Macroscopic and histological lesions were commonly found in...

A wild Common Teal in Jeollabuk-do Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6983 ____

  Wild Whooper Swans in the Arhangay Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7007 ____