Avian influenza A(H5N8) virus has caused major epizootics in Europe since 2016. We conducted virologic analysis of aerosol and dust collected on poultry farms in France during 2020-2021. Our results suggest dust contributes to viral dispersal, even early in an outbreak, and could be a valuable surveillance tool.
Keywords: France; H5N8; Influenza; aerosol; dust; environment; highly pathogenic avian influenza virus; poultry; respiratory infections; surveillance; viruses; zoonoses.