In the reporting period, 15 new HPAI outbreaks were reported in domestic birds across Africa, Asia and Europe, involving 4 different HPAI subtypes namely H5N2, H5N5, H5N6 and H5N8. • In Chinese Taipei, H5N2 outbreaks continue to be reported since the first notification in 2012 and the H5N5 subtype has continued to be reported since September 2019. • Since the beginning of 2020, outbreaks of H5N8 have been continuously reported in several European countries in poultry and/or wild birds. It is more likely that the source of infection in these outbreaks is contact with wild birds and followed by limited local spread. Germany, Hungary and Poland reported H5N8 outbreaks in this reporting period. In Africa, South Africa continues to report new outbreaks of H5N8 in its territory. • H5N6 subtype reoccurred in the Philippines after two years in a quail backyard farm. Exposure to wild birds in the affected area is most likely the factor of introduction. Veterinary Authorities in the affected countries have responded to contain outbreaks in poultry with stamping out measures, heightened surveillance, and recommendations to poultry owners to increase biosecurity. The OIE Standards, and the transparency of reporting through the OIE’s World Animal Health Information System, provide the framework for Veterinary Services to implement effective surveillance, reporting, and controls for avian influenza. Wild bird surveillance can indicate periods of heightened risk, and at these times measures to improve on-farm biosecurity may reduce the likelihood of exposure of poultry.
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