Avian influenza in poultry

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute coordinates the surveillance of avian influenza in poultry on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in Norway for the first time in 2020, and the first outbreak in a commercial poultry flock occurred in 2021.

Avian influenza (AI) is monitored in poultry and wild birds:

The surveillance program for AI in poultry aims to document that Norwegian poultry flocks are free from influenza A viruses of subtypes H5 and H7.

The surveillance programme for AI in wild birds aims to monitor the occurrence of avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5 and H7 in wild birds.

2024

Active surveillance based on serological investigations to monitor avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in poultry in 2024 did not detect infection in poultry kept for commercial purposes in Norway. This surveillance is routinely and systematically conducted, independent of the health status of the flocks. Two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in domestic birds in 2024: one in a commercial poultry holding and one in a backyard flock. Both outbreaks were identified through passive surveillance and sampling initiated due to clinical suspicion.

Download report

Previous reports