# Trends and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Italy: A Data-Driven Approach

## TL;DR

This study creates an open-access dataset of avian influenza outbreaks in Italy to help track and respond to outbreaks more effectively.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the creation of a global open-access dataset and the application of economic indices to avian influenza data in wild birds.

## Key findings

- The dataset covers HPAI outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild birds in Italy from October 2021 to July 2023.
- Economic indices like Homogeneity and Location Index were successfully applied to wild bird outbreak data.
- The dataset supports rapid detection, response, and communication of avian influenza risks.

## Abstract

In recent years, the unprecedented spread of the Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs) among birds and mammals has caused devastation in animal populations, including poultry, wild birds, and some mammals, damaging farmers’ livelihoods and the food trade. Given the urgency of the situation, it is particularly important that scientists and the public can access research results and data as soon as possible. The main aim of this study is to present a global open-access dataset of Avian Influenza outbreaks to enable researchers and policymakers (i) to rapidly detect, and respond to animal outbreaks as the first line of defense; (ii) to conduct epidemiological and virological investigations around animal outbreaks and human infections; and (iii) to communicate the risk. We show the potential use of this dataset to the research community by analyzing the most updated information on past and current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild birds over the period from October 2021 to July 2023 in Italy. In addition, we applied indices borrowed from Economics (such as Homogeneity, Specialization, and Location Index) to the wild birds dataset to show their possible usage in epidemiology.