Wild birds affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) worldwide: Epidemiological insights into the recent panzootic

In recent years, especially as a consequence of global change, several emerging pathogens have caused alarming effects in wild species. One of these pathogens, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1), is causing global mortalities in animals with an increasing risk to humans. Wild birds play a key role in viral transmission and spread. Using the distribution ranges of wild bird species reported as infected, we mapped global risk areas for viral spread and analyzed the spatio-temporal evolution of H5N1 from 2017 to March 2025. We also examined the overlap between the mapped risk areas and positive cases occurring in wild and poultry over this period to evaluate whether these cases align with the risk areas previously identified. Finally, we evaluated whether ecological traits of wild birds, such as gregariousness, tolerance of anthropic habitats, migratory behavior, and trophic level, are associated with the viral infection. From 2017 to October 2020, the H5N1 high-risk areas and c..., , # Data from: Wild birds affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) worldwide: Epidemiological insights into the recent panzootic

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.vx0k6dk56](10.5061/dryad.vx0k6dk56)

## Description of the data and file structure

The data presented here are valid to replicate the analysis performed in the article: Manuscript ID GCB-25-0888 \"*Wild birds affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) worldwide: Epidemiological insights into the recent panzootic*\"

### Files and variables

#### File: Complete_Data_wildbirds.xlsx

**Description:** Data on wild birds reported to be infected with H5N1 by WAHIS are valid for replicating risk maps (with and without cases) and the global model.

##### Variables

epi_event_id: Corresponds to the number of the event assigned by the WOAH (WAHIS).
sero_sub_genotype_eng: Corresponds to the serotype of Avian Influenza Virus.
country: Country that reports the epi event.
region: Region of the country.
Outbreak_start_date: D...,