Emergence and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) in Europe in 2016‐2017

Circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses poses a continuousthreat to animal and public health. After the 2005–2006 H5N1 and the 2014–2015H5N8 epidemics, another H5N8 is currently affecting Europe. Up to August 2017,1,112 outbreaks in domestic and 955 in wild birds in 30 European countries havebeen reported, the largest epidemic by a HPAI virus in the continent. Here, the mainepidemiological findings are described. While some similarities with previous HPAIvirus epidemics were observed, for example in the pattern of emergence, significantdifferences were also patent, in particular the size and extent of the epidemic. Eventhough no human infections have been reported to date, the fact that A/H5N8 hasaffected so far 1,112 domestic holdings, increases the risk of exposure of humansand therefore represents a concern. Understanding the epidemiology of HPAIviruses is essential for the planning future surveillance and control activities.