Avian influenza (AI), commonly referred to as bird flu, has emerged as one of the most pressing zoonotic and economic threats in global agriculture. Once considered a localized problem in wild bird populations or poultry farms, AI is now a globally mobile pathogen with the ability to cross borders rapidly. In its 2025 risk assessment, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sounded the alarm: trade in live animals, raw milk, and contaminated products may contribute to the introduction of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strains into Europe.
The EFSA’s comprehensive evaluation not only focuses on migratory birds but also sheds light on a lesser-explored but equally dangerous route—international trade and commerce. The findings are particularly urgent as HPAI A(H5N1) continues to evolve, affecting not only birds but dairy cattle and, increasingly, mammals including humans.
This blog will explore in deep, SEO-optimized detail:
- EFSA’s 2025 findings
- The specific risks posed by trade
- Data from recent U.S. outbreaks
- How migratory bird patterns intersect with import routes
- Risk mitigation strategies
We’ll also provide real-world implications for farmers, policymakers, and agribusiness stakeholders.
📉 Section 1: A Brief History of Avian Influenza
Avian influenza viruses are categorized into low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI) strains. The HPAI H5 and H7 subtypes are of particular concern due to their rapid spread and high mortality in birds. Since the early 2000s, HPAI outbreaks have ravaged poultry industries from Southeast Asia to Europe and Africa.
Initially spread via migratory birds, the virus has undergone several genetic shifts and recombinations, increasing its host range. As of 2025, HPAI strains have been detected in more than 150 bird species, 30+ mammalian species—including domestic cats, seals, and cattle—and have caused multiple human fatalities.
🌍 Section 2: EFSA’s 2025 Surveillance Summary
In March 2025, EFSA released its quarterly update in partnership with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Key highlights included:
- Continued detection of HPAI A(H5N1) in wild birds across the Baltic and North Sea coastlines
- Increased viral detections in dairy cows in North America
- High mutation rates among isolates from cattle
- First-time detection of infectious virus in raw milk and nasal secretions
This shift in host range raises new questions: can milk, meat, and cattle now act as vectors for the virus? And if so, what does this mean for intra-EU and transatlantic trade?
🚛 Section 3: How Trade Can Act as a Transmission Pathway
🧊 3.1 Raw Milk and Dairy Products
Recent EFSA research confirms that HPAI A(H5N1) virus can survive in raw milk for several days under refrigeration. If milk from infected animals enters the food supply or is transported for processing across borders, it may pose a significant threat—especially if pasteurization protocols are not strictly followed.
🐄 3.2 Live Cattle and Animal Transport
Live animal movement, particularly dairy cows, has been identified as a likely cause of HPAI spread across U.S. states in 2024–2025. Similar movement from non-EU countries poses a risk if stringent testing is not enforced.
🧳 3.3 Contaminated Equipment and Vehicles
Trucks, trailers, and milking equipment may carry the virus if not disinfected properly. Biosecurity gaps—like improper wheel wash, shared milking systems, or contaminated clothing—act as mechanical vectors during transport.
🌾 3.4 Feed and Feed Additives
Though lower risk, contaminated feed—especially if exposed to wild birds or stored improperly—can serve as indirect sources of transmission.
🦅 Section 4: Migratory Birds Still the Dominant Pathway
Despite the growing concern around trade, migratory birds remain the primary introduction route. EFSA’s models map the highest-risk corridors, including:
- The East Atlantic Flyway (Iceland–UK–Wadden Sea–North Sea)
- The Black Sea/Mediterranean Flyway (Russia–Turkey–Greece–Italy)
- The Central Asia Flyway (Kazakhstan–Iran–Bulgaria–Hungary)
Birds arriving from Central Asia or North America can carry the virus during seasonal migrations and stopover in European wetlands, spreading it into domestic poultry flocks.
EFSA recommends targeted surveillance at stopover points and migratory staging areas. Drones, satellite tracking, and AI-assisted pattern recognition are now being deployed to monitor wild bird behavior in real time.
🇺🇸 Section 5: Lessons from the U.S. Dairy Outbreak
From early 2024 through mid-2025, the U.S. experienced its largest HPAI outbreak in mammals:
- Over 950 dairy herds affected across 16 states
- Over 100 workers exposed
- Economic losses topping $1.8 billion
Key transmission drivers included:
- Movement of infected cattle between farms
- Shared equipment (e.g., portable milking machines)
- Lack of mandatory testing prior to interstate movement
- Failure to isolate symptomatic cows
Milk samples showed active viral RNA, confirming raw milk as a potential infectious material. This led the U.S. FDA to tighten pasteurization enforcement and recommend testing of bulk tanks.
EFSA considers these findings a blueprint for what must not happen in Europe.
🛡️ Section 6: What EFSA Recommends for Europe
EFSA’s most recent policy guidance includes:
Mandatory Import Testing: Screen all live cattle and raw milk imports from non-EU countries with known HPAI outbreaks.
Expanded Surveillance: Include non-traditional hosts such as dairy cattle, goats, and wildlife in HPAI monitoring.
Standardized Biosecurity Protocols: For all cross-border transport equipment and personnel.
DNA Barcoding: Use genomic tools to track viral mutations and compare strains across continents.
Cold Chain Integrity: Monitor temperature compliance for dairy exports and imports.
EFSA also calls for cooperation with third countries to harmonize testing and reporting procedures.
👨🌾 Section 7: Implications for Farmers and Agribusiness
For the farming community, these developments demand:
- Higher vigilance in sourcing feed and animal stock
- Investments in disinfectant equipment and PPE
- Re-evaluation of insurance policies to cover HPAI-related loss
- Participation in voluntary testing programs
Processors and exporters must update food safety certifications and maintain transparent supply chain documentation. Failure to comply could result in rejected shipments and loss of trade partners.
📈 Section 8: Economic Risks to the European Poultry Sector
Europe’s poultry industry is worth €35 billion annually. An uncontrolled outbreak could:
- Wipe out regional flocks
- Lead to months-long export bans
- Cause consumer panic and price spikes
France, Germany, and the Netherlands are particularly vulnerable due to high population density of commercial poultry and their location along major flyways.
🔬 Section 9: One Health Perspective
A central theme of EFSA’s response is the One Health approach, which treats animal, human, and environmental health as interconnected. HPAI’s growing ability to infect mammals, including humans, increases the risk of a future pandemic.
EFSA and ECDC recommend integrated surveillance:
- Wildlife virology
- Dairy cattle nasal swabs
- Human serological surveys in farm workers
Combining these datasets can help identify spillover events before they trigger epidemics.
✅ Conclusion: From Risk to Readiness
EFSA’s latest findings confirm that while migratory birds remain the main entry point for HPAI, trade-related vectors are growing in significance. As viral evolution accelerates and crosses species barriers, European countries must act now to protect agriculture, economy, and public health.
From advanced surveillance systems to stricter import controls, a coordinated One Health strategy is Europe’s best defense against the next avian influenza outbreak.
🔍 FAQs Related to Avian Influenza and Trade
Q1. 📦 Can bird flu spread through imported meat or milk?
A: Pasteurized products are safe, but raw milk or undercooked poultry may carry the virus. Strict processing is essential.
Q2. 🐄 Can cows get avian influenza?
A: Yes. Since 2024, HPAI has been detected in dairy cows in the U.S., making them potential vectors.
Q3. 🚛 What are Europe’s import controls for HPAI?
A: EFSA recommends import testing of live cattle, milk, and poultry from regions with known outbreaks.
Q4. 🌍 Why is One Health important for AI?
A: It ensures coordinated detection in animals, people, and the environment, reducing the risk of missed spillover events.
Q5. 🧪 How can we test for bird flu in cattle?
A: Via nasal swabs, bulk milk PCR testing, and serological assays.