EU states are being urged to step up surveillance and biosecurity measures to guard against possible new outbreaks of avian influenza this year.

The upsurge of human cases in China during the winter 2016-2017 due to A(H7N9) gives cause for concern.

Epidemiological update: increase in reporting of human cases of A(H5N1) influenza, Egypt

Low risk to public health in the EU from low pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N7) viruses

​The risk of transmission of avian influenza A(H5N8) to the general public in the EU/EEA countries is extremely low.

​In March 2013, Chinese authorities announced the identification of a novel reassortant A(H7N9) influenza virus in patients in eastern China. Since then, human cases have continued to be reported, and as of 7 February 2014 (Figure 1), there have been 308 laboratory-confirmed cases: Zhejiang (122), Guangdong (54), Shanghai (42), Jiangsu (36), Fujian (19), Hunan (7), Jiangxi (5), Henan (4), Anhui (4) ,Beijing (3), Shandong (2), Hebei (1), Guangxi (2), Guizhou (1), Hong Kong (4) and Taiwan (2). In addition, the virus has been detected in one asymptomatic case in Beijing. 

​On 8 January 2014, Canada reported a fatal imported case of influenza A(H5N1) infection. This is the first confirmed human case of H5N1 in North America.

​In March 2013, Chinese authorities announced the identification of a novel reassortant A(H7N9) avian influenza virus in patients in eastern China.

Since 31 March 2013, one hundred and twenty one (121) cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have been reported from eight provinces and two municipalities in eastern China and one (1) from Taiwan.