Bird Flu Outbreak 2026: US, Europe & Asia Face Rising Cases

The United States is grappling with its largest-ever outbreak of avian influenza, as the virus continues to spread across North America, Asia, and Europe, officials confirmed Monday. More than 14.3 million birds across 84 farms have been infected in the U.S. This year, extending a crisis that began in 2022.

The current surge coincides with the spring migration of wild birds, considered a primary driver of the virus’s dissemination. Alan Huddleston, of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), stated the pattern of the outbreak mirrors previous years, with recurring spread during migratory seasons. Since the virus first emerged, approximately 200 million birds across over 2,100 farms in the U.S. Have been affected, according to APHIS data.

The outbreak is not limited to the United States. South Korea has reported its 60th case this season, prompting the culling of around 12,000 ducks and temporary activity restrictions in the Jangsu region. In the Netherlands, a new infection was detected at a laying hen farm in the province of Drenthe, leading to the destruction of 24,000 birds, adding to a total of 38,000 impacted birds across two regions. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recorded 2,514 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 32 European countries between late November 2025 and February 2026, with the vast majority linked to contact with wild birds.

Experts are noting a significant shift in the behavior of the virus. Unlike previous outbreaks, the virus now appears to be circulating year-round within wild bird populations, rather than being strictly seasonal. “There is continuous virus exposure, something we did not see in previous outbreaks,” Huddleston explained.

The spread of the virus has already had significant economic consequences. In February 2025, the outbreak triggered a crisis in the U.S. Egg industry, forcing the culling of millions of chickens and driving up prices. Some supermarkets in New York and surrounding states limited egg purchases, with prices reaching as high as $10 per dozen. The disruption impacted restaurants and food service providers reliant on egg supplies.

In a separate, but concurrent development, the United States recorded its first human death linked to avian influenza in January. The patient, over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized in Louisiana in mid-December 2024. Health officials emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, but those working with birds or exposed to them face a higher risk of infection.

The virus has similarly been detected in dairy cows in several U.S. States, including Kansas, New Mexico, and Ohio, raising concerns about potential transmission routes and the broader impact on the agricultural sector. As of Monday, no official statement had been released regarding further preventative measures or expanded testing protocols.