A weekly alert from the European Commission’s ADIS system is providing another snapshot of animal disease activity across Europe. The update covers notifications recorded between 16 and 22 April 2026, using information available as of 23 April 2026. Officials note that the poultry sector remains affected, while the virus is also being detected in captive birds and in a wide range of wild bird species across several countries. The report focuses on outbreaks linked to high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI H5N1), a strain that has continued to circulate in European bird populations.
Poultry outbreaks in Germany and Poland
Within the reporting window, the ADIS notification confirms HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry in Germany and Poland. Germany recorded one outbreak, while Poland reported a higher number, with ten outbreaks listed during the same period.
Infections in captive birds
The alert also details cases in animals kept in controlled settings. In Poland, authorities reported three HPAI H5N1 outbreaks among captive birds, indicating continued risk beyond commercial poultry systems.
Widespread activity among wild birds
Beyond farms and captive collections, the update highlights numerous detections in wild birds. Outbreaks were recorded in Austria (9), Germany (39), Denmark (9), Poland (7), Sweden (7), Finland (2), France (3) and Norway (2). Species mentioned in the notifications include mute swans, geese, gulls, buzzards and other birds, varying by country and incident.
What this means for monitoring
By combining farm, captive and wildlife alerts, the ADIS weekly report helps authorities track how H5N1 is moving through bird populations. With multiple countries reporting outbreaks at the same time, continued surveillance and biosecurity measures remain central to limiting further spread.