EFSA analyses evolution of bird flu in the US and its possible spread to cattle

EFSA scientists highlight that key European stopovers with high bird population densities, such as Iceland, the UK , Ireland, western Scandinavia, as well as large wetlands such as the Wadden Sea off the coasts of the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, could be useful sites for early detection of the virus during the seasonal migration of wild birds.

The report also looks at the possibility of the virus entering Europe through trade, concluding that imports of raw dairy products from affected areas of the US cannot be completely ruled out and could therefore be a possible route. Imports of dairy cows and beef could also be a potential route for the virus to enter. However, the virus has rarely been detected in MEAT, animal imports are very limited and very strict trade rules apply to meat and live animals entering the EU .

The EFSA report also includes an overview of the situation in the US, where 981 dairy herds in 16 states were affected between March 2024 and May 2025. The report, which has been reviewed by US authorities, highlights that the spread of the virus was facilitated by livestock movements, poor biosecurity and the sharing of farm equipment.

At the end of the year, EFSA will assess the potential impact of the introduction of this HPAI genotype into Europe and recommend measures to prevent its spread.