TY - JOUR
T1 - Preparedness, prevention and control related to zoonotic avian influenza
AU - EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW)
AU - Alvarez, Julio
AU - Boklund, Anette
AU - Dippel, Sabine
AU - Dórea, Fernanda
AU - Figuerola, Jordi
AU - Herskin, Mette S
AU - Michel, Virginie
AU - Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel
AU - Nannoni, Eleonora
AU - Nielsen, Søren Saxmose
AU - Nonno, Romolo
AU - Riber, Anja B
AU - Stegeman, Jan Arend
AU - Ståhl, Karl
AU - Thulke, Hans-Hermann
AU - Tuyttens, Frank
AU - Winckler, Christoph
AU - Brugerolles, Claire
AU - Wolff, Thorsten
AU - Parys, Anna
AU - Lindh, Erika
AU - Latorre-Margalef, Neus
AU - Rameix Welti, Marie-Anne
AU - Dürrwald, Ralf
AU - Trebbien, Ramona
AU - Van der Werf, Sylvie
AU - Gisslén, Magnus
AU - Monne, Isabella
AU - Fusaro, Alice
AU - Guinat, Claire
AU - Bortolami, Alessio
AU - Alexakis, Leonidas
AU - Enkirch, Theresa
AU - Svartstrom, Olov
AU - Willgert, Katriina
AU - Baldinelli, Francesca
AU - Preite, Ludovica
AU - Grant, Malin
AU - Broglia, Alessandro
AU - Melidou, Angeliki
N1 - © 2025 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
PY - 2025/1
Y1 - 2025/1
N2 - A risk assessment framework was developed to evaluate the zoonotic potential of avian influenza (AI), focusing on virus mutations linked to phenotypic traits related to mammalian adaptation identified in the literature. Virus sequences were screened for the presence of these mutations and their geographical, temporal and subtype-specific trends. Spillover events to mammals (including humans) and human seroprevalence studies were also reviewed. Thirty-four mutations associated with five phenotypic traits (increased receptor specificity, haemagglutinin stability, neuraminidase specificity, enhanced polymerase activity and evasion of innate immunity) were shortlisted. AI viruses (AIVs) carrying multiple adaptive mutations and traits belonged to both low and highly pathogenic subtypes, mainly to A(H9N2), A(H7N9), A(H5N6) and A(H3N8), were sporadic and primarily detected in Asia. In the EU/EEA, H5Nx viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, which have increased opportunities for evolution due to widespread circulation in birds and occasional cases/outbreaks in mammals, have acquired the highest number of zoonotic traits. Adaptive traits, such as enhanced polymerase activity and immune evasion, were frequently acquired, while receptor-specific mutations remained rare. Globally, human cases remain rare, with the majority overall due to A(H5N1), A(H5N6), A(H7N9) and A(H9N2) that are among the subtypes that tend to have a higher number of adaptive traits. The main drivers of mammalian adaptation include virus and host characteristics, and external factors increasing AIV exposure of mammals and humans to wild and domestic birds (e.g. human activities and ecological factors). Comprehensive surveillance of AIVs targeting adaptive mutations with whole genome sequencing in animals and humans is essential for early detection of zoonotic AIVs and efficient implementation of control measures. All preparedness, preventive and control measures must be implemented under a One Health framework and tailored to the setting and the epidemiological situation; in particular, enhanced monitoring, biosecurity, genomic surveillance and global collaboration are critical for mitigating the zoonotic risks of AIV.
AB - A risk assessment framework was developed to evaluate the zoonotic potential of avian influenza (AI), focusing on virus mutations linked to phenotypic traits related to mammalian adaptation identified in the literature. Virus sequences were screened for the presence of these mutations and their geographical, temporal and subtype-specific trends. Spillover events to mammals (including humans) and human seroprevalence studies were also reviewed. Thirty-four mutations associated with five phenotypic traits (increased receptor specificity, haemagglutinin stability, neuraminidase specificity, enhanced polymerase activity and evasion of innate immunity) were shortlisted. AI viruses (AIVs) carrying multiple adaptive mutations and traits belonged to both low and highly pathogenic subtypes, mainly to A(H9N2), A(H7N9), A(H5N6) and A(H3N8), were sporadic and primarily detected in Asia. In the EU/EEA, H5Nx viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, which have increased opportunities for evolution due to widespread circulation in birds and occasional cases/outbreaks in mammals, have acquired the highest number of zoonotic traits. Adaptive traits, such as enhanced polymerase activity and immune evasion, were frequently acquired, while receptor-specific mutations remained rare. Globally, human cases remain rare, with the majority overall due to A(H5N1), A(H5N6), A(H7N9) and A(H9N2) that are among the subtypes that tend to have a higher number of adaptive traits. The main drivers of mammalian adaptation include virus and host characteristics, and external factors increasing AIV exposure of mammals and humans to wild and domestic birds (e.g. human activities and ecological factors). Comprehensive surveillance of AIVs targeting adaptive mutations with whole genome sequencing in animals and humans is essential for early detection of zoonotic AIVs and efficient implementation of control measures. All preparedness, preventive and control measures must be implemented under a One Health framework and tailored to the setting and the epidemiological situation; in particular, enhanced monitoring, biosecurity, genomic surveillance and global collaboration are critical for mitigating the zoonotic risks of AIV.
KW - avian influenza
KW - birds
KW - highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
KW - mammals
KW - mutations
KW - preparedness
KW - public health
U2 - 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9191
DO - 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9191
M3 - Article
C2 - 39882189
SN - 1831-4732
VL - 23
JO - EFSA Journal
JF - EFSA Journal
IS - 1
M1 - e9191
ER -