We tested wild ruminants, boar, and carnivores in northeast Germany for highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5 antibodies. Wild ruminants were seronegative, but 3.5% of boar and 12.5%-21.9% of carnivores were seropositive, indicating frequent spillover. Because such events might accelerate mammalian (and ultimately human) adaptation, sustained monitoring remains essential.
Günther et al. (2026) studied this question.