Avian flu outbreaks surge globally as spring migration begins

Monday 23 March 2026 - 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Avian flu outbreaks surge globally as spring migration begins

Avian influenza cases are rising across multiple regions as migratory birds begin their annual spring movement, triggering mass culling operations and tighter biosecurity measures in North America, Europe and Asia.

In the United States, more than 14.3 million birds across 84 farms have been infected since the start of 2026, according to federal data. Officials say the pattern mirrors previous waves observed since the current strain emerged in 2022. In total, about 200 million birds across more than 2,100 farms have been affected nationwide, making it the largest outbreak of its kind in US history.

The resurgence is also visible in Asia. South Korea confirmed its 60th case of highly pathogenic avian influenza this season on March 21 after detecting the H5 strain at a duck farm in Jangsu County, North Jeolla Province. Authorities culled around 12,000 birds and imposed a 24-hour movement restriction in nearby areas while launching nationwide inspections of poultry farms.

Europe continues to face sustained outbreaks. In the Netherlands, authorities confirmed infections at an egg-laying farm in Geesbrug in Drenthe province on March 22, leading to the culling of roughly 24,000 chickens. A broader containment effort has resulted in the planned destruction of about 38,000 birds across affected sites. The country has been dealing with repeated outbreaks since October 2025, under a national indoor housing order for poultry.

Canada is also on alert as migration season approaches. Alberta’s poultry sector is reinforcing preventive measures after reporting 26 confirmed farm outbreaks in 2025, compared with six the previous year. No new cases have been recorded in the province so far in 2026, although infections have been confirmed elsewhere in the country.

Health authorities warn that the virus is becoming more persistent. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 2,514 detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza across 32 countries between late November 2025 and February 2026. More than 90 percent of outbreaks in poultry farms were linked to transmission from wild birds.

Experts say the virus is now circulating year-round in wild bird populations, increasing the risk of continuous exposure and complicating containment efforts compared with earlier outbreaks.