Campi Bisenzio, Italy – A case of avian influenza has been detected in a poultry farm near Campi Bisenzio, in the Florence province, on March 25, 2026. The farm raises birds both for slaughter and for restocking for hunting purposes. This outbreak highlights the ongoing risk of avian influenza and the importance of rapid response measures to protect both animal and public health.
Veterinary Assessments
Approximately 1,000 birds were culled within 12 hours of notification to public health veterinary and food safety authorities, according to a statement from the local health authority (ASL). The swift action was taken to ensure public health safety. The notification was transmitted to operators on Friday afternoon by the national reference center of the Padua Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute, where samples taken by the Azienda Usl Toscana centro were sent following a report from the health authority of Perugia, which had diagnosed an outbreak of avian influenza in the farm from which the birds originated.
Surveillance Activated
Veterinarians from the ASL conducted assessments at the farm on Friday afternoon. Despite no animals exhibiting clinical symptoms, pharyngeal swabs were collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results arrived from Padua at 1:30 PM on Saturday, confirming the presence of the avian influenza virus in one of the samples. In accordance with current regulations, all birds present at the farm were culled on-site on Saturday, March 21.
Health Checks for Workers
A surveillance zone with a 10 km radius has been established, implementing restrictions on animal movement. A more restricted protection zone extends for 3 km. As a precautionary measure, health assessments of the farm’s workers were initiated in collaboration with the local Public Hygiene Service. These workers are currently under active surveillance while awaiting results.
“It’s important to emphasize the purely precautionary nature of these measures,” the ASL stated. “Based on available evidence, transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans is an extremely rare event, and no cases of transmission of this virus to humans have been recorded in Italy to date.” Public Hygiene Service operators are maintaining a moderate level of reassurance, coupled with careful monitoring of the situation and strict application of preventative measures.
