Luxembourg strengthens bird flu surveillance
Zosia Szopka, Unsplash
In response to a parliamentary enquiry on measures to combat avian influenza, the Luxembourg Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture provided an update on the current status of epidemiological surveillance. In December 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published recommendations to strengthen monitoring of the spread of avian influenza due to its potential threat to human health.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there have been isolated cases of A(H5N1) infection in birds in Europe, but no human-to-human transmission. In the US, however, 45 human infections have been detected in 2024. Luxembourg authorities assure that the circulating virus remains sensitive to antiviral drugs and complies with the existing WHO vaccine protocols.
In November 2024, a national workshop was organised with the participation of all agencies concerned, including the Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) and the Ministry of Health. Luxembourg also participated in the December epidemic prevention exercise organised by the European Commission in Brussels.
PCR is used to monitor influenza viruses and can detect Group A viruses, including H5N1, but cannot distinguish between avian and human origin. This makes it difficult to analyse data from wastewater treatment plants. The last recorded case of avian influenza in birds in Luxembourg occurred in May 2023 in the Remerschen district. Since then, wild and domestic bird populations have been monitored all year round.
A programme to monitor wild carnivores for influenza viruses is underway from 2022, and expanded tests are being conducted from 2024 as part of OneHealth4Surveillance, a project aimed at integrating animal and human health research. In response to outbreaks of H5N1 virus in cattle in the USA, Luxembourg introduced a methodology for testing milk for the virus.
The Government of Luxembourg is highly prepared and is working with international partners to respond to the avian influenza threat in a timely manner, adopting an integrated approach to epidemiological monitoring.
