FAO/EMPRES-AH is constantly monitoring the avian influenza situation worldwide and compiles information from multiple national and international sources as well as peer-reviewed scientific articles. Close collaboration with country and regional offices, the implementation of avian influenza field surveillance projects, and networks of expertise like WOAH/FAO’s OFFLU (www.offlu.org) provide access to timely information on outbreaks, surveillance findings, and genetic similarities of circulating viruses or their virologic features. This information is stored in the EMPRES Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i+), a database that can be accessed online at https://empres-i.apps.fao.org/.

During the period from 6 September to 9 December 2025, at least four high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtypes (H5N1, H5N6, H5N8 and H5N9) and one low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus subtype (H9) have been reported in East, South, and Southeast Asia. H5Nx HPAI viruses continue to circulate in Asia and are well established in certain areas of the region.

Australia reported H5 HPAI virus detections in Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) on Heard Island (an Australian external territory). To date, there have been no observations of unusual mortality in other mammal or bird species present on the island.

Bangladesh reported a single H5N1 HPAI outbreak in domestic cats in Dhaka Division.

Cambodia reported three H5N1 HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds across Kampong Speu (1), Otdor Mean Chey (1) and Pouthisat (1) provinces, suggestive of a continuing circulation of the H5N1 HPAI virus in the country.

China reported two H5 HPAI outbreaks in wild birds in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. One outbreak observed in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture led to the death of more than 300 wild birds including Greylag Goose (Anser anser) species, while the other outbreak occurred in Korla City where a swan (Cygnus spp.) was found dead and six other birds showed neurological signs. In addition, Taiwan Province reported five H5N1 HPAI events including two outbreaks in domestic birds, affecting a layer chicken farm and a quail farm, as well as two H5N1 HPAI virus detections in Anatidae faeces in Jiading wetlands in Kaohsiung City and one in a dead Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) in Tainan City.

India reported 10 H5N1 HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds in Uttarakhand (5) and Uttar Pradesh (4) states. One outbreak was also reported in Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala) in Delhi.

Indonesia reported at least one HPAI outbreak in domestic birds in Riau Province on Sumatra Island in September 2025.

In Japan, H5N1 HPAI virus was detected in a Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) found on 15 October 2025 in Hokkaido Prefecture, marking the first report of this new wave (i.e. since 1 October 2025). As of 9 December, a total of 58 H5N1 HPAI events in domestic (6) and wild birds (52) and one H5 HPAI detection in a wild bird have been reported across 10 prefectures. This marks a significant increase as compared to the previous reporting period. A wide array of wild birds have been affected, spanning multiple families and species such as Accipitridae – Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Japanese Buzzard (Buteo japonicus) and White-tailed Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Anatidae – Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope), Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) and Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), Corvidae – Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) and Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Falconidae – Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Gruidae – Hooded Crane (Grus monacha), Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) and White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), Podicipedidae – Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Strigidae – Blakiston’s Eagle-owl (Bubo blakistoni). In addition, several water samples collected from the Izumi Wintering Habitat of Cranes (Ramsar site) have tested positive since 3 November, where also 9 Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha) and 1 White-naped Crane (Grus vipio) were found dead.

Mongolia reported one H5N1 HPAI outbreak in wild Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) in Arkhangai Province.

The Philippines reported six HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds across four different regions, affecting chicken and ducks, and involving H5 (2), H5N1 (3) and H5N8 (1) virus subtypes. Additionally, H9 LPAI virus was detected in domestic ducks in South Cotabato, Region XII.

The Republic of Korea reported 18 H5N1 HPAI events including 8 outbreaks in domestic birds, and 10 detections in wild birds (8) and their droppings (2). Amongst outbreaks in domestic birds, 5 were reported in chicken farms in Gyeonggi-do, 2 in duck farms in Chungcheongbuk-do (1) and Jeollanam-do (1), and 1 in a mixed bird farm located in Gwangju Metropolitan City. H5N1 HPAI detections in wild birds and their droppings were reported in Busan (1), Gwangju (1) and Seoul (1) metropolitan cities, Chungcheongbuk-do (1), Chungcheongnam-do (2), Gyeonggi-do (1), Gyeongsangnam-do (1), Jeonbuk State (1), and Jeollanam-do (1). In addition, one H5N6 HPAI detection was reported in a Common Teal (Anas crecca) in Jeollanam-do and two H5N9 HPAI detections were reported in a Common Teal and a Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) in Jeonbuk State.

Viet Nam reported 31 HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds, including chicken and duck farms, in Dak Lak (2), Khanh Hoa (7), Long An (1), Nghe An (2), Ninh Binh (4), Quang Nam (1), Quang Ngai (10), Thanh Hoa (1), Tien Giang (2) and Vinh Long (1) provinces. H5N1 HPAI virus subtype was confirmed in 23 of these outbreaks.

AI viruses continue to circulate extensively in some parts of Asia, resulting in occasional human cases. During the reporting period, Cambodia reported two influenza A(H5N1) human infections in Kampong Speu Province and Phnom Penh City, the latter case resulting in a fatal outcome. All human cases reported in Cambodia in 2025 had exposure to domestic birds or their environments. Additionally, China reported a total of six influenza A(H9N2) human infections in Guangxi Autonomous Region (2), and in Henan (1), Hubei (1), Hunan (1), and Jiangxi (1) provinces.