FAO/EMPRES-AH is constantly monitoring the avian influenza situation worldwide and compiles information from multiple national and international sources as well as peer-reviewed scientific articles. Close collaboration with country and regional offices, the implementation of avian influenza field surveillance projects, and networks of expertise like OIE/FAO’s OFFLU (www.offlu.net) provide access to timely information on outbreaks, surveillance findings, and genetic similarities of circulating viruses or their virological features. This information is stored in the EMPRES Global Animal Disease Information System (EMPRES-i), a database that can be accessed online at empres-i.fao.org.

During the period 6 June to 6 September 2020, four highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtypes have been reported in poultry in East and South-East Asia. Three poultry outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI were confirmed in Tra Vinh Province, Southern Viet Nam, affecting 780 out of 2 740 unspecified birds. In addition, H5N6 HPAI caused five poultry outbreaks in Northern (n=3) and Central (n=2) Viet Nam, affecting a total of 12 721 unspecified birds, and one poultry outbreak in the Philippines, in Central Luzon. In Taiwan, Province of China, H5N2 and H5N5 HPAI virus subtypes are circulating endemically and caused one and thirteen poultry outbreaks respectively, affecting more than 15 000 chickens and other unspecified birds in total.

Highly pathogenic H5N1, H5N2, H5N5 and H5N6 viruses have demonstrated the ability to spread via migratory water birds.

We consider avian influenza activity to be lower in the period from June to September, however, reports of outbreaks in poultry or detections in wild birds and humans are expected to increase over the coming months in the region.