Our study reports the first molecular detection of the protozoan pathogen Histomonas meleagridis, the causative agent of histomonosis, in the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae. Mite samples were collected from a commercial poultry farm and a backyard flock in Hungary and analyzed using PCR assays that targeted the COX1 gene in mites and 18S rRNA gene in H. meleagridis. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of D. gallinae and revealed distinct genetic lineages between farm and backyard isolates. H. meleagridis DNA was detected in 10 of 17 mite samples, representing multiple variants within Genotype 1. No histomonosis was detected in the examined poultry, although one hen harbored Simplicimonas sp. The findings suggest that D. gallinae could serve as a carrier for H. meleagridis, potentially facilitating the persistence and transmission of the pathogen. This novel host–pathogen association highlights the need for further research into the epidemiological role of poultry ectoparasites in the spread of histomonosis.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains a major threat to commercial poultry. We investigated an HPAI H5N1 outbreak that became clinically apparent in House 6 of a 15-house, fully enclosed turkey breeder holding in eastern Hungary with structured site- and house-entry biosecurity. The holding contained 17,876 48-week-old birds, including 454 males in House 6. Acute mortality began on 6 February 2025 and reached 371/454 (81.7%) by 8 February; depression, lethargy, and somnolence predominated. Gross and histopathological lesions were consistent with systemic HPAI, while RT-qPCR and HA cleavage-site sequencing confirmed HPAI H5N1. A separate infected laying-hen holding was located 4.70 km away. Regional meteorological reconstruction showed directional compatibility with the inter-holding axis during 54.7% of hours from 25 January–1 February and 83.3% during 25–28 January, including a 47-h continuous compatible episode; no compatible hourly direction occurred on 1 February, when culling was completed. These findings describe a temporally and directionally compatible regional exposure context but do not demonstrate atmospheric transport, source attribution, or culling-associated transmission. Wild-bird-associated contamination and other indirect pathways remain plausible; comparative whole-genome data, environmental sampling, exact culling times, and complete trace-back information were unavailable.

We investigated the emergence and spread of the ha‐MYXV (recombinant myxoma virus) in the brown hare ( Lepus europaeus ) population in Hungary. During PCR genetic analysis of 37 samples collected between October 7 and 28, 2025, at the beginning of the outbreak, we found recombinant myxoma virus DNA in 89.2% of the samples, which are the first known ha‐MYXV type epidemic infections in brown hares in Hungary. The recombinant MYXV infecting Lagomorpha species first entered western Hungary as a result of an outbreak near Vienna (Austria), and then appeared in the eastern part of the country within a week. Based on European experience, the new virus strain will have a significant impact on the Hungarian populations of brown hares, which calls into question the possibility of profitable game management with this species in many areas, foreshadowing the need for nationwide monitoring system studies to map the epidemiological characteristics of recombinant MYXV.