Avian flu, with specific reference to the H5N1 strain, is one of the major global health concerns. The virus is highly adaptable and represents a concrete threat to everyone’s health.
In this article, we describe the current situation, the pandemic risk and the main prevention measures.
What Avian Flu (H5N1) Is Today: Definition and What Has Changed
Avian flu is a viral disease that affects birds, both farmed and wild. It is highly contagious and is caused by type A influenza viruses. The H5N1 strain, in particular, is known for its high pathogenicity, which translates into very high mortality among infected livestock.
This virus has been known for years, but it is now showing an increasing ability to “jump” from one species to another. A concrete example of this trend is strain A(H5N1) with the B3.13 genotype, first isolated in U.S. dairy cattle. Events like this reflect the “changeable” nature of the pathogen, which gains affinity for new animal hosts and gradually moves closer to humans.
Epidemiological Situation 2024–2025: Outbreaks in Italy and Europe
In recent years, and especially during the 2024–2025 season, there have been several reports of highly pathogenic avian flu, both in wild species and in farmed animals. A total of 31 European countries have been affected, mainly in the central, western and south-eastern areas of the continent. During the same period, cases in domestic cats were also reported.
In Italy, starting from autumn 2024, several H5N1 outbreaks were identified in the northern regions. These areas lie along migratory routes and also host many intensive livestock farms. The latest update, dated 28 November 2025, reported further outbreaks, again concentrated in the north of the country.
At the same time, appropriate control measures are in place and are necessary. These include culling infected animals and creating surveillance and protection zones.
H5N1 and Species Jumps: Why It Matters (Birds, Cattle, Other Mammals)
A species jump (or spillover) is the process by which a virus acquires new infectious abilities, becoming a real threat to new host species. For avian flu, this mechanism is the key element behind the global concern, especially in light of recent developments.
The most alarming jump so far was the one mentioned above, related to the U.S. dairy cattle epidemic. In that context, the virus proved capable of sustained transmission between mammals.
Other species jumps have followed, including infections in cats exposed to milk from infected cattle and cases reported in other farm animals (e.g., goats). In addition, infections have also been described in wild mammals, including marine species.
Risks to Humans: How Likely Infection Is and Which Symptoms to Watch For
Despite the significant circulation of H5N1 among animal species, human infections remain rare. As you might expect, the risk is higher for people with professional exposure (such as farmers, workers handling raw meat, veterinarians and similar roles).
Between 2024 and 2025, 70 human cases were identified in the United States, mostly with mild disease. Symptoms primarily affected the eyes, the respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal system, but patients also experienced fever, headache and muscle and joint pain. Among older adults and people with underlying conditions, there was one death and a few hospitalizations.
To date, efficient human-to-human transmission of the virus has not been documented. Very rare and suspected cases are limited to family clusters, where close contact may have favored this scenario. Surveillance systems are continuously monitoring for new mutations and working to prevent the risk of a pandemic.
How It Spreads: Routes of Exposure and Risky Behaviors
Transmission of avian flu to humans occurs mainly through direct contact with infected animals and/or contaminated environments. Below is a summary of the main risk situations.
Routes of Infection
- Direct contact: with infected bird species or other infected animals, whether alive or dead.
- Indirect contact: via environments, surfaces and objects contaminated with infectious biological material.
- Inhalation of bioaerosols: indoor air in farming facilities can contain high concentrations of viruses in bioaerosols, facilitating infection by inhalation.
High-Risk Groups
- Poultry and livestock workers: including farmers, veterinarians and slaughterhouse staff.
- Veterinarians and healthcare workers: due to their roles in care and epidemiological investigation.
- Owners of backyard poultry: as “domestic” bird species can also pose a potential risk.
- Hunters and birdwatchers: through unsafe handling of animal carcasses.
Food Safety: Are Meat, Eggs and Milk Safe?
In the context of avian flu, the consumption of animal products naturally raises some concerns. Let’s see how to ensure their safety.
For poultry meat, it is essential to cook it thoroughly, bringing it to temperatures of at least 70°C (158°F). Proper cooking means that this temperature is reached in all parts of the product, including the innermost ones. The same principle applies to eggs, which are considered safe once all parts are completely solidified. Milk, in turn, must undergo a specific pasteurization process.
It is important to underline that refrigeration and freezing do not kill pathogens already present on foods contaminated at the source. Handling raw foods also increases the risk of cross-contamination, which must be prevented by strict hygiene rules and procedures (e.g., dedicated surfaces and utensils, keeping raw and cooked foods separate, frequent handwashing).
For more detailed information, you can refer to the website of the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) in the sections dedicated to this topic.
Prevention: Best Practices for Citizens and Exposed Workers
Preventive measures against avian flu include targeted health surveillance and biosecurity procedures in farms. When we extend the focus to the general population, common sense and a few simple precautions are usually enough.
For an acceptable level of safety, high-risk professional groups must follow specific recommendations:
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE): such as gloves, face masks (FFP2 or FFP3), protective goggles and coveralls, to be worn when in contact with animals or in areas where they are kept.
- Company biosecurity measures: including disinfection of vehicles and equipment, separation between clean and dirty areas, and control of access points. In this setting, indoor air sanitation is also important. This can be supported by devices that use electromagnetic waves, such as e4life farm systems designed for livestock environments.
- Health surveillance: with close monitoring of workers’ health status. If symptoms appear, individuals must self-isolate and inform the health authorities.
- Seasonal flu vaccination: getting vaccinated against seasonal influenza viruses reduces the risk of co-infection (simultaneous infection with avian and seasonal flu viruses) and thus lowers the chance of genetic recombination between different viruses.
Here are the main recommendations for the general public:
- Avoid touching sick animals or carcasses: instead, report their presence to local health authorities.
- Food hygiene: cook animal products thoroughly and avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and dairy products. Pay close attention to the safe handling of raw foods.
- Travel to high-risk areas: in these regions, avoid critical settings such as live animal markets. In general, follow all basic hygiene measures (e.g., frequent handwashing, use of masks) and report any suspicious symptoms to your doctor after returning home.
Adopting a “One Health” approach, which highlights the close connection between human, animal and environmental health, is the most comprehensive way to address the risk of avian flu. On a broader scale, this means ongoing collaboration among different professionals and disciplines (doctors, veterinarians, environmental experts, and others) to prevent viral spread to humans.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is avian flu dangerous for humans?
At present, the overall risk to humans is still considered low. However, in light of the new
abilities acquired by the virus, avian flu represents a real global health threat and requires
strict preventive measures.
What are the symptoms in humans?
Symptoms include fever, muscle and joint pain and respiratory problems, as well as conjunctivitis
and gastrointestinal symptoms. The severity can range from mild to severe.
How do people get avian flu?
Infection occurs mainly through direct contact with live infected poultry or infected carcasses.
In other cases, the virus is contracted via surfaces and objects contaminated with biological
material or by inhaling viruses dispersed in bioaerosols.
Can meat, eggs and dairy products be eaten safely?
Yes, as long as they are thoroughly cooked in all parts. It is advisable to avoid partially cooked
foods as well as unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
Can dogs and cats become infected?
Documented cases do exist. For prevention, pets should not be fed raw or undercooked meat or milk.
It is also important to prevent them from coming into contact with wild animals and carcasses.
What is happening with cattle in the United States?
In 2024, an epidemic of H5N1 avian flu occurred among dairy cattle. This event significantly
increased concerns about viral spread among mammals.
Where can I follow official updates?
Authoritative sources with regularly updated websites include the Italian National Institute of
Health (ISS), the Ministry of Health and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe).