The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (EURL) have provided an overview of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) outbreaks in Europe from December 2023 to March 2024. During this period, 640 HPAI virus detections were reported in poultry (179), captive birds (48), and wild birds (414) across 26 countries. The number of HPAI detections was significantly lower than in previous years, possibly due to flock immunity in previously affected wild bird species and changes in the genetic composition of circulating A(H5N1) viruses. Most HPAI outbreaks in poultry were primary outbreaks following the introduction of the virus by wild birds. Outside Europe, the majority of poultry outbreaks were still clustered in North America, while the spread of A(H5) to more naïve wild bird populations on mainland Antarctica is of concern. For mammals, A(H5N5) was reported for the first time in Europe, while goat kids in the United States represented the first natural A(H5N1) infection in ruminants. Five human avian influenza A(H5N1) infections, including one death, were reported by Cambodia, with three of them being clade 2.3.2.1c viruses. China reported two human infections, including one fatal case, with avian influenza A(H5N6), four with A(H9N2), and one with co-infection of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) and A(H10N5). The latter case was the first documented human infection with A(H10N5). Human infections with avian influenza remain rare, and no sustained human-to-human transmission has been observed. The risk of infection with currently circulating avian H5 influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe remains low for the general population in the EU/EEA. The risk of infection remains low to moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals. The report also includes detailed data on HPAI virus detections in birds, non-human mammals, and humans, as well as risk assessments and recommendations for response.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (EURL) have provided an overview of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) outbreaks in Europe from December 2023 to March 2024. During this period, 640 HPAI virus detections were reported in poultry (179), captive birds (48), and wild birds (414) across 26 countries. The number of HPAI detections was significantly lower than in previous years, possibly due to flock immunity in previously affected wild bird species and changes in the genetic composition of circulating A(H5N1) viruses. Most HPAI outbreaks in poultry were primary outbreaks following the introduction of the virus by wild birds. Outside Europe, the majority of poultry outbreaks were still clustered in North America, while the spread of A(H5) to more naïve wild bird populations on mainland Antarctica is of concern. For mammals, A(H5N5) was reported for the first time in Europe, while goat kids in the United States represented the first natural A(H5N1) infection in ruminants. Five human avian influenza A(H5N1) infections, including one death, were reported by Cambodia, with three of them being clade 2.3.2.1c viruses. China reported two human infections, including one fatal case, with avian influenza A(H5N6), four with A(H9N2), and one with co-infection of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) and A(H10N5). The latter case was the first documented human infection with A(H10N5). Human infections with avian influenza remain rare, and no sustained human-to-human transmission has been observed. The risk of infection with currently circulating avian H5 influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe remains low for the general population in the EU/EEA. The risk of infection remains low to moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals. The report also includes detailed data on HPAI virus detections in birds, non-human mammals, and humans, as well as risk assessments and recommendations for response.