A review of recent submissions to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) indicate the extent of reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.  During the first half of November, diagnoses among commercial poultry were reported from Ukraine, Portugal, Bulgaria, Hungary and the United Kingdom.

In almost all cases, H5N1 virus was isolated from free-living migratory and resident birds before outbreaks in commercial poultry. Reports on cases follow sequence initially involving backyard farms followed by larger commercial units.

Avian influenza has been recorded on six continents including Antarctica and has involved terrestrial mammals including scavenging and carnivorous species.  The emergence of bovine influenza-H5N1 with limited zoonotic transmission without contagion has occurred since March 2024. Substantial mortality among marine mammals along the Pacific coastline of South America suggests animal-to-animal transmission among seals and sea lions.

Asia has also reported recent outbreaks of H5N1 among wild birds.  Commercial flocks have been affected in Taiwan, Korea and presumably China. This nation employs vaccination but reports of outbreaks in commercial flocks and among human contacts are subject to central government policy on limited release of information.

Avian influenza has attained panornitic status with the potential to disrupt production and trade in eggs and poultry meat and representing a threat to the survival of endangered susceptible avian species.