Imported case of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infection in a patient with miliary tuberculosis, Italy, March 2026

On 21 March 2026, avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was confirmed in Italy in a patient with miliary tuberculosis. The patient had recently travelled to West Africa. Following the detection of an unsubtypable influenza A virus, rapid molecular confirmation and full genome sequencing were performed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus belonged to subclade G5.5 and was closely related to African strains. Epidemiological investigations identified no additional cases, suggesting there was no evidence of onward transmission at the time of reporting.