Within the first four weeks of 2026, 78 commercial poultry flocks have been confirmed with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) infections across 10 European countries, according to the European Commission’s Animal Disease Information System (as of January 28).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The database monitors listed animal diseases in European Union member states and selected neighboring countries. In all confirmed cases, the H5N1 virus serotype has been detected.
Highest Outbreak Numbers in 2026 (So Far)
- Poland: 22 outbreaks
- Germany: 15 outbreaks
- Belgium: 10 outbreaks
Great Britain is not included in the EC system. However, the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) reports 90 poultry outbreaks (commercial and hobby flocks) since October 2025, with H5N1 detected at every affected site (as of January 23).
Key HPAI Developments Across Europe
Germany Leads Recent Surge
Over the past two weeks, Germany recorded 10 new commercial flock outbreaks, the highest in Europe during this period. Additional outbreaks reported include:
- Belgium: 6
- Italy: 5
- Poland: 5
- Netherlands: 4
- France: 3
- Hungary: 2
Further outbreak details have been shared through official veterinary notifications.
Hungary: First Cases in Seven Months
In southeastern Bekes County, Hungary confirmed its first cases in seven months. The H5N1 variant was detected at:
- One foie-gras goose farm
- One turkey breeder farm
Great Britain: Additional Confirmations
Five additional poultry farm outbreaks linked to the same H5N1 variant were confirmed in Great Britain between December 20 and January 16.
Affected flocks ranged from 6,500 to 208,000 birds, bringing the country’s total for 2026 to 11 outbreaks so far.
Poland: Significant Impact on Poultry Numbers
All four of Poland’s latest outbreaks occurred in Greater Poland Province, affecting:
- Two laying hen flocks
- One broiler flock
- One meat turkey flock
The 22 outbreaks reported this year have directly impacted approximately 3.4 million poultry, according to Poland’s chief veterinary inspectorate.
Belgium, Italy & Netherlands
- Belgium: 20 poultry farm outbreaks since October 2025, including three recent cases in West Flanders.
- Italy: Three new outbreaks confirmed in northern regions. Since September, Italy’s total has reached 51.
- Netherlands: Seasonal total now at 33 outbreaks, including infections at two parent-stock farms (70,000 broiler breeders and 45,000 laying hen breeders).
France & Germany (Latest Cases)
- France: 24,000 turkeys affected in Pays de la Loire.
- Germany (Saxony-Anhalt): 13,000 chickens infected at a commercial site.
HPAI in Backyard, Captive & Wild Birds
As of January 28, seven European countries have reported 26 HPAI outbreaks in captive birds (including backyard flocks and zoos).
Recent confirmations include:
- Germany: 4
- Czech Republic: 3
- France: 2
- Netherlands: 2
- Poland: 1
- Ukraine: 1
Across Europe, numerous wild birds have tested positive for HPAI (H5 family virus). First virus-positive cases of 2026 have been registered in:
Finland, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, additional cases have been reported by Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.
In Great Britain alone, 50 wild birds tested positive over the past two weeks.
H5N1 Antibodies Detected in Dutch Dairy Cow
In a significant development, antibodies to avian influenza virus were detected in a dairy cow in the Netherlands — marking the first such finding in Europe.
The discovery followed the illness and death of a farm cat that tested positive for the virus. Subsequent screening of cattle revealed antibodies in the milk of one cow only.
Authorities confirmed:
- No cattle showed clinical illness
- No active virus was detected in milk
- No evidence of spread to other farms
The Dutch agriculture ministry maintains that the risk of H5N1 spreading from animals to humans in Europe remains very low. However, it advises against consuming raw dairy products from infected animals.
Research Raises Concern Over Virus Evolution
H5N1 infections in U.S. dairy cattle were first detected in 2024. The virus genotype identified was B3.13, which has since spread widely among American cattle.
Researchers from multiple U.K. scientific organizations have identified polymerase mutations facilitating the virus’s adaptation from birds to mammals.
According to researchers, infections in humans linked to the cattle outbreak have so far been mild and limited. However, the adapted cattle virus replicates efficiently in human cells and retains the ability to infect birds and swine.
Although current evidence suggests inefficient human-to-human transmission, continued viral evolution and exposure may increase future risks.
Public Health Outlook
European authorities emphasize that:
- Risk to the general public remains low
- Properly cooked or processed animal products are safe
- Avoid raw dairy products from infected farms
However, continued surveillance, strict biosecurity measures, and cross-species monitoring remain essential as the H5N1 virus continues to evolve.