Assessment of risk associated with influenza A(H5N6) virus

Overview

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N6) viruses belonging to the 2.3.4.4b haemagglutinin (HA) genetic lineage have spread in birds in China and some neighboring countries. There have been 26 A(H5N6) human infections reported in 2021, of those 20 with illness onset dates after 21 June 2021. While the zoonotic threat remains elevated due to spread of the viruses in birds, based on evidence available so far, the overall pandemic risk is considered not significantly changed in comparison to previous years.