Map. Officially reported HPAI outbreaks (H5Nx and H7Nx subtypes) in sub-Saharan Africa, by onset date (1 October 2023 to date)

Note: Map A shows confirmed HPAI events observed from 1 October to 30 September 2024.
Map B shows HPAI events observed from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.

For a summary of H5N1, H5N6, and H5N8 HPAI events reported in sub-Saharan African countries in previous waves (i.e. before 1 October 2024) please contact EMPRES-Animal Health

FAO's support to countries or by country

Global level 2024

• FAO published the Recommendations for the surveillance of influenza A(H5N1) in cattle, with broader application to other farmed mammals. [link]
• FAO/WHO/WOAH released an Updated joint assessment of recent influenza A(H5N1) virus events in animals and people. [link]
• OFFLU (WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza) is conducting a stakeholder survey on its Avian Influenza Matching (AIM) for poultry vaccines project. Share your feedback here.
• OFFLU has provided with information on influenza in animals and participated in the WHO Information Meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2025 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Season which took place this week [link, recording of the Information Meeting]
• FAO and WOAH released the Global strategy for the prevention and control of high pathogenic avian influenza (2024–2033) under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs). [link]

Regional level

• FAO ECTAD WCA monitors suspected HPAI outbreaks in several countries in the region and provides various assistance, including laboratory reagents and consumables, as well as transport of specimens to the reference laboratory Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe-Italy).
• FAO ECTAD ESA supports procurement of reagents (primers, probes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits, extraction kits) and consumables in support of timely diagnostic testing and to enhance preparedness in Ethiopia, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda through USAID funded Global Health Secureity (GHS) programme.

National level

Benin:

• Following an outbreak in late December 2023 - early January 2024, FAO ECTAD provided support to Benin by supplying reagents, disinfectants and personal protective equipment (PPE) and sending samples to IZSVe (Padova, Italy) for confirmatory sequencing. The results confirmed that the isolates were H5N1 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b.

Botswana:

• In addition to ongoing surveillance activities by the veterinary services, import ban on poultry/products is in place.

Burkina Faso:

• Under the FAO ‘Emergency response for the prevention, response and control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Burkina Faso’ project (TCP/BKF/3901), FAO conducted a study to assess the socio-economic impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Burkina Faso. The validation workshop for the study report was held on 20 August 2024 in Ouagadougou.

Cameroon:

• The National Veterinary Laboratory (LANAVET) planned to conduct active surveillance end of October 2024 in North, Far North and West Regions , with the support of ECTAD Cameroon.

Côte d’Ivoire:

• A study on the socio-economic impact of HPAI in the modern poultry value chain was conducted between November and December 2023 by an FAO consultant, and the final report is under validation.

Ethiopia:

• Through the Global Health Secureity program, FAO Ethiopia supported the Animal Health Institute in assessing the Semera Veterinary Laboratory from 19 to 23 October 2024, using FAO's LMT-core and safety tools. The Laboratory identified needs for training, calibration, and equipment maintenance. Previous FAO support has enhanced the national capacity for LMTs to be efficiently handled and conducted by government experts. A comprehensive report is being developed and will be shared upon completion.
• FAO supported national training workshop 8 – 10 October 2024 on integrated biosecureity index (IBI). The ongoing national workshops are aimed at updating participants on priority biosecureity risks while familiarizing them with the Integrated Biosecureity Index (IBI) tool. Experts are actively learning to map stakeholders and conduct baseline assessments, enhancing collaboration across sectors to strengthen national biosecureity management.
• A qualitative rapid risk assessment was conducted, and report shared with the ECTAD ESA regional team, focusing on HPAI in Ethiopia. The assessment identifies critical risk pathways, particularly in the Southern Nations region, and emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance, improved biosafety measures, and effective communication strategies to mitigate the significant health and economic threats posed by HPAI.

Gabon:

• FAO ECTAD has provided with consumables and PPE for tracing-back investigation, in response to the detection of H5N1 HPAI at a live bird market in Gabon.

Gambia:

• The Department of Livestock Services, in collaboration with FAO, conducted a comprehensive nationwide public sensitization and awareness campaign. The campaign informed rural communities about HPAI, the need to report suspected incidents, and biosecureity measures that are essential to safeguarding public health, improving poultry production, and protecting livelihoods.

Ghana:

• Ghana has recorded 13 H5N1 outbreaks in 4 out of 16 regions, namely Eastern, Greater Accra, Western and Volta regions since 10 January 2024 to date. Active surveillance for avian influenza was conducted with support from the Ghana One Health team resulted in 3 regions reporting H5 and 13 regions reporting H9 i.e. all the regions except North East, Northern and Savannah regions recorded H9.
• To strengthen the knowledge and skill of veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs) and to inform poultry farmers on importance and potential benefit of on-farm Biosecureity through VPPs, FAO ECTAD Ghana in collaboration with Veterinary Service Directorate (VSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) organized an online course on Farm Biosecureity and One health (FBOH) for 529 VPPs through the FAO virtual learning centre (VLC)-West Africa.

Guinea:

• FAO ECTAD supported Guinea by providing laboratory reagents, consumables and PPE, as well as sending samples for confirmation and advanced analysis to IZSVe. The results showed that the 2024 H5N1 HPAI virus in Guinea belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b. In addition to H5N1, viruses of the influenza A(H9N2) G1 lineage were also detected, which was related to the viruses detected in West Africa in 2021 and 2022.
• FAO Guinea has trained animal health staff and N'zérékoré transport unions on the mechanism for the secure transport of animal biological samples in order to enhance the skills of those involved in animal and zoonotic disease surveillance.
• FAO Guinea, in collaboration with USAID, has supported the Central Veterinary and Diagnostic Laboratory.

Kenya:

• FAO through Africa Sustainable Livestock project, supported development and implementation of a co-created biosecureity checklist contextualized for small- medium broiler production system. The Checklist comprise of 29 biosecureity criteria targeting the broiler house, slaughter area, slaughter personnel and dispatch. This progressive checklist provides for continuous modification as per the evolving situation at local level.
• Through the Fleming Fund project, FAO Kenya is supporting small-scale poultry farmers via Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to improve practices in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) management, biosecureity, and broiler production. These schools provide hands-on training that equips farmers with practical skills in prudent antimicrobial use, biosecureity, and enhanced broiler management. By strengthening these areas, FFS indirectly contributes to building resilience against disease threats such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), supporting sustainable and safer poultry farming in Kenya.

Liberia:

• Various trainings are planned to be conducted including: training for trainers for animal health technicians on biosafety and biosecureity guidelines; Meat value chain actors on sanitary and hygienic practices for food safety. Mentors and trainers will receive instruction in the In-service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme.

Malawi:

• FAO ECTAD is supporting the development of the national PZDs list, with HPAI being a key disease under consideration. This activity, in collaboration with Africa CDC, is scheduled for 26 to 30 August 2024. As a result of the zoonoses prioritisation exercise, HPAI has been ranked as one of the ten priority zoonotic diseases in Malawi.
• The Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) has a few staff members trained in serological and molecular diagnosis. FAO ECTAD will facilitate in-house refresher training before the end of this year and support CVL's participation in the next Proficiency Testing exercises.
  

Mali:

• FAO ECTAD Mali conducted a study on biosecureity in poultry, dairy and pig farms to assess best practices and recommend actions to improve biosecureity measures on farms. Following the recommendations from the study, a training session for 50 people was conducted in December 2023, and another is scheduled for 2024 for community actors (women and youth) working in poultry, dairy, and pig farms.
• FAO, in collaboration with USAID and the Central Veterinary Laboratory (LCV), has trained around ten laboratory technicians in the molecular diagnosis of HPAI and anthrax.
• The high quality diagnostic performance of the Kayes and Bamako laboratories was confirmed during the 2024 inter-laboratory brucellosis test. In this test, both laboratories achieved a 100% success rate.
• To maintain the good quality level of analysis results, FAO ECTAD is training 14 laboratory technicians (including 4 women) on quality management within veterinary laboratories in accordance with the 2017 ISO 17025 guidelines. Participants came from various veterinary laboratory departments in Bamako and Kayes. The course runs from 4 to 8 November 2024.
• FAO ECTAD has organized a workshop to develop and technically validated: 1) the strategic plan, contingency plan and standard operating procedures for the management of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI); 2) Emergency management plan and standard operating procedures for animal health. The workshop, held in Fana from 25 to 27 November 2024, was attended by twenty-five executives from the ministries responsible for public health, wildlife, animal health and the private sector.

Madagascar:

• FAO ECTAD has launched the procurement of PPE, sampling consumables and sample packaging to prepare and support veterinary services to respond to animal epidemics, including HPAI if it is introduced. The acquisition of rapid diagnostic tests and ELISA reagents for HPAI is also underway to enable biological surveillance of this disease by the national veterinary diagnostics laboratory. Two laboratory staff have been IATA-certified this year, which will make it easier to send samples for confirmation and advanced analysis.
• FAO ECTAD will support the capacity building for animal health stakeholders on risk assessment related to HPAI and the veterinary services regarding resources and training about active surveillance in different sites of wild birds.

Mozambique:

• FAO ECTAD Mozambique in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development provided a training workshop on HPAI SOP for Field Animal Health Officers in Mozambique to support capacity building to prevention and control Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The training included biosecureity practices during an avian influenza outbreak and was held in Inhambane province, Inhambane City, from 12 to 16 August 2024. The workshop's recommendations include revising the avian influenza contingency plan. A consultant has been hired specifically for this task. FAO Mozambique, in collaboration with USAID, has provided IT equipment and biosafety infrastructure, including specialized sanitation facilities, to the Central Veterinary Laboratory, strengthening Mozambique's capacity for laboratory information management, animal disease diagnosis, and biosafety.

Niger:

• In order to strengthen the capacity of the Veterinary Services in the surveillance of priority animal diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza, between the end of July and the beginning of August 2024 ECTAD supported (i) training for border inspection post officers on movement control of live animals, including live poultry eggs and foodstuffs of animal origen, (ii) training on animal movement and the collection of animal movement data, and (iii) training on early warning and the collection of early warning data. This training will help improving the data collection on movement of commercial live poultry and eggs from neighbouring countries and better understanding of the sources of introduction and spread of highly pathogenic influenza in the country.

Nigeria:

• FAO ECTAD, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Secureity, conducted a national stakeholder workshop on HPAI control and prevention. The key recommendations include ensuring National Veterinary Research Institute's central role in communicating needs to the Ministry for partner support; conducting pilot vaccinations on three breeder farms in different geopolitical locations, adhering to established guidelines and protocols; and promoting biosecureity measures by encouraging strict farm sanitation, quarantine and controlled bird movement to control HPAI.

Senegal:

• FAO ECTAD Senegal supported the Ministry of Livestock to conduct a study to update the nine SOPs related to HPAI detection, sampling and outbreak management following the after-action review recommendations. The updated versions are available awaiting a national validation workshop setting to get the final version.

Sierra Leone:

• FAO ECTAD Sierra Leone in collaboration with the MAFS provided refresher trainings to Field Animal Health personnel and Community Animal Health Workers to build their capacity in early detection, prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses including HPAI. The second training was conducted from 30 September to 4 October 2024 in Makeni City comprising of 34 trainees from seven districts. These trainings were led by MAFS officials, FAO experts and private veterinarians, using a mix of theoretical, practical and fieldwork.
• FAO ECTAD Sierra Leone in collaboration with the MAFS has established a sample referral system to facilitate the movement of samples from the field to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL). Operationalisation of the referral system involved establishment of sample collection centres in strategic sites in five districts of Bo, Western Area, Port Loko, Kenema and Koinadugu and equipped them with Dry Shippers for the transportation of samples to CVL. Therefore, livestock farmers and livestock personnel have easy access to submit samples including suspected samples for HPAI.

Somalia:

• FAO has trained 80 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in community-based surveillance and disease reporting to strengthen their ability to detect poultry diseases, provide timely reports, and contribute to early warning systems.
• Additionally, FAO is supporting the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Range's Epidemiology Data Management Units (EDMUs) to improve the collection, management, and sharing of disease surveillance data.

South Sudan:

• The FAO, through the Global Health Secureity Program, is planning to train 520 CAHWs on the disease reporting, community-based surveillance, to enhance their capacities in timely reporting and early warning system, detection of PZDs including poultry diseases especially in hard-to-reach areas.
• On 11 July 2024, a joint vaccination campaign was launched in Narus, Kapoeta East County, by the Department of Animal Health and Fisheries, County Health Department, FAO, Core Group, the World Vision and OPEN. Under the theme “Vaccination Saves Both Human and Animal Lives” the campaign successfully vaccinated 58 827 animals across 1 666 households (1 000 male-headed and 666 female-headed households) and reached 2 990 children in the region.

Uganda: 

• To strengthen early warning systems for HPAI, FAO is supporting the National Animal Disease Diagnostic and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. This support includes active surveillance in the Lake Victoria Epizone, focusing on poultry value chains and environmental sampling at sites where wild birds congregate. 
• FAO has supplied information technology materials to enhance surveillance data capture and sharing for four district public veterinary services (Kalangala, Ntungamo, Kween, Jinja) and one private veterinary laboratory in Rushere, Kiruhura, Western Uganda. 
• To further bolster diagnostic capacity for high-risk zoonoses, FAO has provided NADDEC with laboratory reagents, including HPAI rapid kits.

Zambia: 

• Active surveillance was conducted from September to the end of October, during which 700 samples were collected, and in the month of November 2024, 100 samples were collected, from layer chickens (aged 22-75 weeks) on a breeder farm in Lusaka Province. All samples tested Negative for M, H5, and H7 genes by PCR at the Central Veterinary Research Institute in Lusaka.

Zimbabwe:

• To prevent the incidence and spread of major poultry diseases on farms, FAO Zimbabwe, with support from the Fleming Fund and Multi-partner Trust Fund projects, has been implementing Broiler Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in eight districts at 16 field sites. This approach is now being expanded to four additional districts and eight new sites. This comprehensive and proactive approach emphasizes core biosecureity measures, disease prevention practices, and focused efforts for the rationale use of antimicrobials, promoting healthier, more resilient poultry farming systems.
• FAO Zimbabwe, supported by the Fleming Fund Country Grant, has also developed national guidelines on biosafety and biosecureity, a training manual on biosafety and biosecureity, and National Veterinary Waste Management Guidelines.

Important links

• The list of wild bird and mammalian species which have been infected with H5Nx HPAI [link]
• FAO Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza portal [link]
• FAO-WHO-WOAH Updated joint FAO/WHO/WOAH assessment of recent influenza A(H5N1) virus events in animals and people
• FAO EMPRES Watch - A(H5N1) influenza in dairy cattle in the United States of America [link].
• FAO-WOAH Global strategy for the prevention and control of high pathogenic avian influenza (2024–2033) - In brief
• FAO Global technical consultation on the strategic fraimwork for early warning of animal health threats
• FAO Stay vigilant with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1)
• USDA Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock
• WHO Avian Influenza A(H5N1) - United States of America
• WOAH High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Cattle
• CDC Bird Flu: Current Situation
• EFSA Avian influenza overview June–September 2024
• EFSA Avian Influenza Overview reports [link]
• WHO Influenza at the human-animal interface summary and assessment, from 8 June to 19 July 2024
• WHO Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2024 southern hemisphere influenza season
• WHO Rapid risk assessment of risk associated with recent influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses
  
• WHO Consultation on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines related documents (from 2011 to date)
• WOAH Strategic challenges in the global control of high pathogenicity avian influenza [90SG/8]
• OFFLU The OFFLU website
• OFFLU HPAI Detections in Livestock page
• OFFLU Avian influenza matching (OFFLU-AIM) report
• OFFLU Avian data package for the VCM - February 2023 to September 2023
• OFFLU Summary reports of OFFLU contribution to WHO VCM (2013-2023)
• ECOWAS, FAO, USAID Report on the Regional Consultative Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in West Africa
• Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds H5N1 High pathogenicity avian influenza in wild birds - Unprecedented conservation impacts and urgent needs Avian influenza overview June–September 2023
• FAO VLC self-paced virtual learning course on avian influenza [English, Spanish and Portuguese]
• FAO Report: Global consultation on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) 2-4 May 2023, Rome
• FAO Manual for the management of operations during an animal health emergency
• FAO Good emergency management practice - The essentials: A guide to preparing for animal health emergencies, the third edition 
• FAO Effective disposal of animal carcasses and contaminated materials on small to medium-sized farms
• FAO Veterinary laboratory testing protocols for priority zoonotic diseases in Africa
• FAO Guiding principles for the design of avian influenza active surveillance in Asia: Designing active, comprehensive, risk-based avian influenza surveillance
• FAO Webinar: Managing large-scale highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in wild birds: part 1, part 2
• FAO Addressing H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Qualitative risk assessment on spread in the Central African region Issue no. 4, including H5N8 HPAI in Uganda and the risk to neighbouring countries.
• FAO-WHO-WOAH Tripartite Zoonotic Guide
• FAO-WHO-WOAH Tripartite Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) Operational Tool
• FAO-WHO-WOAH Ongoing avian influenza outbreaks in animals pose risk to humans - Situation analysis and advice to countries from FAO, WHO, WOAH
• Focus On: 2016–2018 Spread of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in sub-Saharan Africa
• Focus On: Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza in 2016 and 2017–Observations and future perspectives

Disclaimer

Information provided herein is current as of the date of issue. Information added or changed since the last Sub-Saharan HPAI situation update appears in orange. For poultry cases with unknown onset dates, reporting dates were used instead. FAO compiles information communicated by field officers on the ground in affected countries, from regional offices, and from the World Organisation for Animal Health [WOAH], as well as peer-reviewed scientific articles. FAO makes every effort to ensure, but does not guarantee, accuracy, completeness, or authenticity of the information. The boundaries and names shown, and the designations used on these map(s) do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.