European poultry producers are being urged to maintain strong biosecurity measures despite a decline in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases across Europe.
The latest quarterly report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), produced with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the EU Reference Laboratory, recorded the lowest number of HPAI cases in poultry and wild birds since the 2019/20 season.
Although the fall in cases is encouraging, EFSA warns that the virus continues to circulate at low levels in wild birds and recommends enhanced surveillance ahead of the autumn migration period.
Most poultry outbreaks reported during the period were linked to indirect contact with infected wild birds, highlighting the continued importance of robust biosecurity on farms.
EFSA said the risk to the general public remains low but stressed that vigilance will be key to limiting outbreaks as the next avian influenza season approaches.