Deaths among Wild Birds during Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus Outbreak, the Netherlands

During autumn–winter 2016–2017, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses caused mass die-offs among wild birds in the Netherlands. Among the ≈13,600 birds reported dead, most were tufted ducks ( Aythya fuligula ) and Eurasian wigeons ( Anas penelope ). Recurrence of avian influenza outbreaks might alter wild bird population dynamics.