Avian influenza research through the lens of One Health: A bibliometric study

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), particularly highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, present ongoing global challenges due to widespread circulation and severe outbreaks in poultry and sporadic human infections. From 2003-2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 878 human cases of HPAI H5N1, with 458 fatalities (52.16 %) across 23 countries. This study evaluates trends and research priorities on One Health and HPAI for the period 2000-2025.

This study analysed data from the Scopus database. The search targeted on human, animal, and environmental health using keywords such as "One Health,", Eco health" "avian influenza," "HPAI," and "bird/avian flu" in title, abstract, and keyword fields. Publications from 2000 to 2025 were included. Parameters such as publication trends, prolific authors, and geographical distribution were assessed. Bradford's Law identified core journals, and keyword co-occurrence analysis highlighted major research themes.

This study analysed 315 publications on avian influenza within the One Health framework from 2000 to 2025. Accelerated growth after 2018 and a projected 111 publications by 2030 (R² = 0.93). United States contributed the largest share (n = 108), followed by United Kingdom (n = 45). Publications distributed across 158 journals, with 10 forming the Bradford core, including One Health and Social Science & Medicine. Among authors, Hung Nguyen-Viet was the most prolific, while Josanne H. Verhagen and Kirsty R. Short had the highest citation counts. Prosser D.J., Sleeman J.M., and Deliberto T.J. appeared as central figures in collaborative networks.

This study presents the first bibliometric analysis of avian influenza research within the One Health framework. Research themes centered on H5N1, poultry health, biosecurity, and zoonotic surveillance. Findings stress the importance of sustained surveillance, stronger biosecurity, and multisectoral collaboration to prevent undetected transmission chains in resource-limited settings and to ensure that this zoonotic threat is not underestimated.