Between 28 February and 4 June 2026, EU Member States reported 186 outbreaks in poultry and captive birds, as well as 763 detections in wild birds. While the number of outbreaks in domestic birds is similar to the same period last year, detections in wild birds were at least three times higher this year, reflecting very high viral circulation in waterfowl.

Scientists also considered the number of HPAI detections in mammals to be low, given the high number of outbreaks during the winter period. Red foxes were the most affected mammal species in the EU.

The report also notes Hungary reported low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 cases in seven poultry farms. While H9N2 detections have previously been reported in the EU, this is the first detection of the specific clade H9N2 G5.5, which has also been responsible for occasional human cases in the Middle East and West Africa. EFSA and ECDC advise Member States to monitor this situation closely.