THE FIRST human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) infection has been reported in Italy.
Notification of the infection in the Lombardy Region marks the first human case reported in Europe.
Italy’s Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday that the infected person came from a non-European country where he contracted the low-pathogenicity avian influenza A(H9N2) virus of animal origin.
He was reportedly frail with concomitant illnesses and has since been hospitalised in isolation.
Health Authority Response
The Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday that all required checks were promptly carried out and relevant contacts identifies, in line with standard prevention and surveillance procedure.
Public health authorities initiated several epidemiological and microbiological investigations.
The Ministry also reportedly coordinated with the Lombardy Region, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, and the national reference laboratory expert group to ensure coordination and updating of international bodies.
No critical issues have currently been identified and the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation.
Avian Influenza A(H9N2)
The Ministry reported that the virus occurs through direct exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments or materials.
Human cases are characterised by mild illness and human-to-human transmission has never been reported.
Since 1998, nearly 200 cases A(H9N2) have been reported worldwide by 10 countries across Asia and Africa, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Only two infections were fatal and no clusters of human influenza A(H9N2) infections have ever been reported.
ECDC reported that sporadic human cases of avian influenza are not unexpected in places where the virus is circulating in birds.
It also monitors the transmission of avian influenza strains through epidemic intelligence activities and sharing information across international partners.
Between 29th November 2025 and 27th February 2026, ECDC identified eight A(H9N2) cases in humans, all in China.
Currently, ECDC currently assesses risk to the general population in the EU, related to the event, as very low but will reassess as more information becomes available.
Featured image: Peeranat Thongyotee on Adobe Stock
