Updates of Avian Influenza situation by FAO/EMPRES-AH (December 2024 – March 2025)
Disclaimer: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on these map(s) do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. Source: United Nations Geospatial. 2020. Map of the World. [Cited March 2025]. Modified with Emergency Prevention System Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and National Authorities data, 2025
FAO/EMPRES-Animal Health
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 this period, China reported 22 outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI in Taiwan Province, affecting domestic birds such as chickens and geese. In addition, three detections of H5N1 HPAI were reported in wild birds, two in Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and one in an Eastern Grass-owl (Tyto longimembris), and three environmental samples tested positive for H5N1 HPAI, H7N3 LPAI, and H7N7 LPAI virus subtypes.
In Japan, the HPAI activity has increased as compared to the previous reporting period, with a total of 95 HPAI events reported across 11 prefectures. Of these, 39 H5N1 HPAI and 6 H5 HPAI cases were reported in wild birds including Carrion Crow (Corvus corone), Eastern Buzzard (Buteo japonicus), Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca Penelope), Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Hooded Crane (Grus monachal), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata), White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), and other unspecified wild birds, with 16 HPAI detections attributed to Large-billed Crow. In addition, Japan reported 39 H5N1 HPAI outbreaks in poultry, which affected around 8 million birds including those culled as part of control measures. As part of active surveillance efforts, Japan national authorities also reported eight environmental samples positive for H5N1 HPAI virus.
The Republic of Korea has reported 29 outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI in poultry farms, including chicken and duck farms, across seven provinces. These outbreaks have affected more than a million birds, including those culled as part of control measures. Additionally, 27 H5N1 HPAI cases occurred in wild birds involving species such as Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Vulture (unspecified), Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), and other unspecified wild birds, with a third of the detections attributed to the Great Egret species.
H5 HPAI viruses continue to circulate extensively in Southeast Asia. Cambodia reported two H5N1 HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds and two H5N1 HPAI cases in wild birds (unspecified). In Indonesia, the westernmost province of Banten confirmed one HPAI outbreak in domestic birds. The Philippines officially reported several outbreaks of H5N1 and H5N2 HPAI virus subtypes affecting domestic birds that occurred during last year, with most recent outbreak in November 2024. Viet Nam officially reported a total of nine H5N1 HPAI outbreaks, affecting domestic birds of various species in Long An (1), Nghe An (2), Quang Binh (1), Thanh Hoa (2), Tien Giang (1), and Tuyen Quang (2) provinces.
In Oceania, Australia reported four H7N8 HPAI outbreak in domestic birds of commercial farms located in northern Victoria Region.
Meanwhile, China reported a total of eight influenza A(H9N2) human infections in Chongqing Municipality (1), Guangxi Autonomous Region (1), and Guangdong (2), Guizhou (1), Hubei (1), and Hunan (2) provinces, as well as one influenza A(H10N3) human infection in Guangxi Autonomous Region. Additionally, Cambodia reported two influenza A(H5N1) human infections with fatal outcomes in Kampong Cham and Prey Veng provinces.
Highly pathogenic H5N1, H5N2, H5N5, H5N6, and H5N8 viruses have demonstrated the ability to spread via migratory water birds. We consider avian influenza activity to have reached its peak in the Region during the period from December to March, driven partly by wild bird winter migration as well as increased poultry trade prior to and during major festivities such as Lunar New Year. Therefore, reports of outbreaks in poultry and detections in wild birds are expected to decrease over the coming months.
The list of bird species affected by H5Nx HPAI globally is available HERE with the new species reported since 2021 highlighted in orange.
