Questions and answers on avian influenza
Last updated 28 May 2026
What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Avian influenza, often called bird flu, is a viral infection that mainly affects birds but can sometimes spread to mammals, including humans. It is caused by influenza A viruses, which are naturally found in wild aquatic birds such as ducks and geese. In rare cases, humans can catch avian influenza through close contact with infected animals (mainly birds) or contaminated environments. Symptoms in people range from mild flu-like illness to serious respiratory problems, and some infections have been fatal.
Why is avian influenza in humans a concern?
Avian influenza, or bird flu, can sometimes jump from birds to humans and cause very serious illness. The risk of human infection is greater in places where people live in close proximity to domestic birds, and for workers who handle infected birds, such as during culling operations.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing. They can pick up small genetic changes (mutations) that help them adapt to mammals, or they can swap genetic material with other flu viruses from different species (a process called reassortment). In rare circumstances, these changes could create a new strain of flu that spreads easily between humans, potentially leading to a pandemic.
What is the current risk to humans in Europe?
ECDC assesses the risk posed by avian influenza viruses currently circulating in animals in Europe to be low for the general public, and low-to-moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments.
What is the current avian influenza epidemiological situation?
Despite the widespread occurrence of avian influenza in wild birds, poultry and some mammals in recent years, with many potential exposures of humans to infected animals, there have been no confirmed autochthonous human cases of avian influenza in the EU/EEA.
Most human infections with avian influenza viruses reported globally since 1997 have been associated with unprotected exposure to poultry, live poultry markets, or contaminated environments. In addition, since March 2024, human cases of avian influenza have been reported following exposure to dairy cattle infected with the virus. To date, there has been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
With the extensive circulation of avian influenza viruses in bird populations globally, sporadic transmission to humans is likely to continue occurring in settings where people have unprotected exposure to infected animals or their environment. For more information on the epidemiological situation, please see the latest Avian Influenza Overview.
How does avian influenza spread?
Avian influenza spreads through several natural and human-related pathways. Wild birds, especially migratory aquatic birds, are major carriers and can introduce the virus to new areas as they move locally or across long distances. The infection can then pass to domestic birds through shared water sources, contamination via droppings, or direct contact. Farm personnel can unintentionally spread the virus when contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, cages, or even clothing and footwear move between locations. In regions where live bird (’wet’) markets are common, the close mixing of multiple bird and other animal species creates additional opportunities for the virus to circulate, spread and mutate.
How are humans infected by avian viruses?
Humans can become infected with avian influenza viruses when they have close, unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. This can happen through exposure to birds or their excretions,- for example, while handling sick or dead birds, cleaning housing systems, or working in poultry settings without proper protective gear. People may also be exposed in places where many birds are kept together, such as live bird/animal (“’wet’”) markets. These are not present in Europe, but are often seen in some countries in East Asia. In these markets, both birds and animals are present which leads to an increased risk of potential virus adaptation to mammals. The virus can enter the body when contaminated material touches the eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled in small droplets or dust particles. Limited human-to-human transmission has occurred following prolonged, close contact but is rare, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed.
How severe is the illness caused by avian influenza viruses?
Avian influenza viruses can cause illness ranging from mild to very severe. Some people can experience only mild symptoms, such as conjunctivitis or influenza‑like illness. However, certain infections can progress to serious disease, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and even death.
The severity can vary between different avian influenza virus subtypes. Reported mortality rates, however, are based on the small number of sporadic human cases detected globally, which are often identified when people seek hospital care rather than during mild infections. As avian influenza virus infections are rare and detected under differing circumstances, it is difficult to make precise comparisons or reliable estimates of how severe each subtype may be.
Which protective measures against avian influenza can be applied?
The best protective measure against avian influenza is to avoid direct contact with dead and potentially infected wild birds, poultry or other animals. Appropriate protective measures should be applied when handling potentially infected animals. Transmission to wild mammals, such as foxes and seals, has also been reported, which underlines the general recommendation to not touch any sick or dead animals. Places with large concentrations of birds should be avoided in areas with ongoing avian influenza outbreaks.
What drugs are available for prevention and treatment against avian influenza?
Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir are considered effective against avian influenza viruses. Baloxavir marboxil is also licenced for use against influenza in the EU. These medications should be taken upon medical prescription and according to clinical recommendations for prophylaxis and treatment of avian influenza.
Is there a vaccine against avian influenza in humans?
There is no single vaccine against all avian influenza viruses. A specific vaccine is needed for each specific avian influenza subtype, and they need to be periodically adapted as the virus changes. There is a human pre-pandemic vaccine approved in Europe against the A(H5) virus that is currently circulating in animals, which can be used for protecting those routinely exposed to infected animals from severe disease, according to national recommendations. In the case of a flu pandemic, there are also authorised pandemic vaccines that are ready to be rapidly updated to the specific pandemic strain.
In addition, twice a year, experts meet during the Vaccine Composition Meetings at the World Health Organization (WHO) to review which viruses could be used to make vaccines in the event of a flu pandemic. They look at different types of viruses and update the list of vaccine candidates that should be available in case needed.
I keep chickens in my backyard. What precautions should I take?
If you keep chickens in your backyard, you can reduce the risk of avian influenza by following some simple precautions. Avoid contact between your birds and wild birds by keeping feed and water indoors or covered, and by limiting access to open water sources. Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands after handling birds, eggs, or equipment, and by regularly cleaning footwear and tools used in the coop. Do not touch sick or dead birds with bare hands; instead, report unusual illness or deaths to veterinary or local animal health authorities. Keep your birds healthy by monitoring them daily, and always thoroughly cook poultry products before consumption.
Is it safe to eat poultry meat and poultry products?
Yes. It is safe to eat poultry meat and poultry products when they are handled and prepared properly.
Avian influenza viruses are inactivated by thorough cooking. To date, there is no evidence that humans can become infected with avian influenza virus through the consumption of contaminated food. However, good hygiene and thorough cooking is recommended to reduce any potential risk posed by contaminated food.
As with all food, standard food safety practices should be followed: avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, and wash hands and kitchen surfaces after handling raw poultry.
What is ECDC’s role in addressing avian influenza?
ECDC supports the prevention and control of human avian influenza infections in the European Union and European Economic Area.
ECDC:
- monitors and assesses the risk to human health in close cooperation with EU Member States, European Food Safety Authority, and international partners;
- collects and analyses surveillance data on human cases and potential exposures;
- provides scientific advice and guidance to support preparedness, prevention, and response measures;
- supports outbreak investigations and information exchange between countries; and
- communicates evidence-based information to public health authorities, professionals, and the public.
ECDC does not manage animal health measures, such as poultry outbreaks or culling, which fall under the responsibility of EU and national veterinary authorities. Instead, it focuses on the human health aspects of avian influenza, working closely and exchanging information with the animal health sector at the EU level.