Lithuania has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, on a laying hen farm in the western part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Wednesday.

The H5N9 strain of avian influenza is much more rare than the H5N1 which has been responsible for most of the reported human cases and the first human death.

The United States reported a first outbreak of H5N9 bird flu on a poultry farm, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on Monday. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has spread around the globe in the past years,

H5N9 is a rare subtype of the influenza A virus that can cause highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu. It's a reassortment strain that originated from the H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 subtypes.

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Commercial duck flock in California has tested positive for two strains of avian influenza. On November 23, 2024, two HPAI viruses were identified in samples from a farm rearing meat ducks in Merced County in California. Increased mortality was observed at the premises, leading the state veterinary authority to quarantine the farm.