Zoonotic influenza - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2021

No human infections with avian influenza virus were reported in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) in 2021. Sporadic human infections with avian influenza virus A(H5) (including A(H5N1) and A(H5N6)), A(H9N2) and A(H10N3) infection were reported globally in 2021. Outbreaks and detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, mainly A(H5N1) and A(H5N8), affected poultry, wild and captive birds worldwide in 2021. The year also marked the onset of the largest epidemic of avian influenza viruses in birds observed in the EU/EEA to date. In 2021, human infections with influenza virus A(H1N1)v and A(H1N2)v of swine origin were detected in four EU/EEA countries: Austria, Denmark, France, and Germany. Outside of the EU/EEA influenza virus A(H1Nx)v, A(H1N1)v, A(H1N2)v, and A(H3N2)v of swine origin caused sporadic human infections in Australia, Canada, China, Taiwan, and the United States.