Saatja: "ECDC respiratory viruses" <
[email protected]>
Teema: Avian influenza in Europe and surveillance in humans
Kuupäev: 2025-11-24 16:57
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saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
To: National Focal Points for Viral Respiratory Diseases, Operational
Contact Points for ERVI-Net
CC: National Coordinators
Dear colleagues,
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is raising awareness of an
unprecedented sharp increase in detections of highly pathogenic avian
influenza A(H5N1) virus in wild birds this autumn, with many recent
outbreaks in domestic poultry in the EU/EEA in affected areas. Further
information can be found via the following link: Unprecedented high level of
highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe during the 2025
autumn migration | EFSA <https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9811>
.
The high circulation of avian influenza virus in bird populations also
raises the risk of human exposure to infected animals. With this email, we
would like to bring your attention to the documents published by ECDC
related to zoonotic avian influenza surveillance, investigation and response
measures, including enhanced surveillance and targeted testing in humans.
The
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-and-targeted-testing-early-detection-zoonotic-influenza-humans>
ECDC guidance for surveillance and targeted testing for the early detection
of zoonotic influenza in humans during the winter period can be found here
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-and-targeted-testing-early-detection-zoonotic-influenza-humans>
. During the influenza season, a risk-based approach is suggested for the
surveillance of zoonotic avian influenza based on the knowledge of avian
influenza outbreaks in the specific geographical areas. Healthcare workers,
including primary care workers, should be made aware of the epidemiological
situation in animal populations in the region. In areas with ongoing avian
influenza outbreaks in animals, healthcare workers should ask about history
of exposure to animals, particularly in patients with symptoms compatible
with zoonotic influenza infection.
Individuals exposed to animals infected with zoonotic avian influenza virus
should be monitored for 10-14 days after last exposure and, if they develop
symptoms, self-isolate and be tested immediately.
More on testing and detection of zoonotic influenza virus in humans can be
found in the investigation protocol of human cases of avian influenza virus
infections in EU/EEA
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/avian-influenza-investigation-protocol-human-cases>
. Together with EFSA, ECDC has also published a guidance for coordinated
investigation and management of zoonotic avian influenza viruses according
to a One Health approach, which can be found here
<https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/coordinated-one-health-investigation-outbreak-zoonotic-avian-influenza.pdf>
.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would have any questions or
require further information.
Kind regards,
ECDC Respiratory Viruses team
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Gustav III:s boulevard 40, 169 73 Solna, Sweden
Phone +46 (0)8 58 60 10 00
www.ecdc.europa.eu
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