Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of avian influenza viruses in external environments of poultry-related settings in Fuyang from 2019 to 2023, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of avian influenza in Fuyang. Methods Samples from the external environment of urban and rural live poultry markets, large-scale poultry (including waterfowl) farms, and rural free-range households in Fuyang were collected from 2019 to 2023. Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR was used for nucleic acid detection of the avian influenza virus, and the positive rate was calculated and chi-square test was conducted. Results A total of 1 164 samples of the external environment of avian influenza were collected in Fuyang from 2019 to 2023, 594 samples were positive for type A influenza virus nucleic acid, with a positive rate of 51.03%. Among these, the H9 subtype accounted for the highest proportion (96.13%, 571/594). The positive rates of external environment monitoring for avian influenza in Fuyang from 2019 to 2023 were 49.82% (136/273), 67.06% (57/85), 57.01% (126/221), 53.33% (96/180), and 44.20% (179/405), respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ²=20.014, P<0.001). The results of external environment monitoring for avian influenza showed that the top three months with the highest positive rates were January (77.14%, 54/70), February (67.78%, 61/90), and May (65.71%, 46/70). The top three counties (cities, districts) with the highest positive rates were Yingzhou District (60.63%, 97/160), Jieshou City (53.38%, 284/532), Yingdong District (48.57%, 34/70), and Yingshang County (48.57%, 17/35). The top three sample types in order of positive rate were poultry drinking water (71.74%, 66/92), swab samples from feather cleaning machines (57.26%, 67/117), and sewage from cleaning poultry (56.50%, 100/177). Conclusion The positive rate of avian influenza virus in the external environment of poultry trading markets in Fuyang is relatively high, posing a risk of human infection with the avian influenza virus. It is recommended to strengthen management measures in poultry trading markets.