This is “Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now.”

I’m your host, and here’s what you need to know about bird flu in the United States.

First, the latest human situation. The World Health Organization reports that on November 15, U.S. health officials confirmed a new human infection with an H5 avian influenza virus, later identified as H5N5, the first human case of this subtype ever reported globally. According to WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this brings the total to 71 confirmed human H5 infections in the U.S. since early 2024. So far, health authorities say there is still no evidence of sustained person‑to‑person spread, and the overall risk to the general public remains low.

Most U.S. human cases continue to be linked to direct exposure to infected animals, especially dairy cattle and poultry. CDC data show the majority of patients are farm workers or people involved in culling or caring for sick animals, not community contacts.

Now to animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service continues to report new detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry and backyard flocks, with activity concentrated in the Midwest and parts of the West. In commercial operations, Indiana remains a hotspot, with repeated outbreaks in turkey and duck facilities. At the same time, USDA maps show ongoing detections in wild birds across more than 50 jurisdictions, underscoring that the virus remains widespread in wildlife reservoirs.

In cattle, USDA and FDA say the multistate outbreak of H5N1 in dairy herds that began in 2024 is still under active investigation, though the pace of new herd detections has slowed compared with earlier this year. Federal agencies stress that infected cows are being removed from the milk supply and that milk from sick animals is not allowed to enter commerce.

Recent guidance updates: CDC has streamlined H5 data into its regular FluView reporting but emphasizes that any new human cases will be reported promptly. The agency continues to advise people who work with poultry or dairy cattle to use personal protective equipment, avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds or mammals, and report respiratory or eye symptoms after exposure. USDA maintains testing and movement controls for affected poultry flocks, and states may add their own restrictions on live bird markets and shows.

On the research front, the Food and Drug Administration reports that multiple rounds of testing of retail dairy products have found no viable H5N1 virus in pasteurized milk, cheese, butter, or ice cream. Those findings support earlier evidence that standard pasteurization effectively inactivates the virus in the commercial milk supply.

What does this mean for you? For most listeners, the immediate risk remains low. You can reduce your risk by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and mammals, cooking poultry, eggs, and meat thoroughly, and consuming only pasteurized dairy products. If you work with livestock or poultry, follow your workplace safety guidance closely and seek medical care if you develop flu‑like symptoms after exposure.

Compared with previous weeks, the picture is mixed: overall human risk has not changed, but the U.S. has recorded its first H5N5 human case and continued sporadic outbreaks in poultry and wild birds. Health agencies are watching closely for any genetic changes that might make these viruses more easily transmissible between people.

That’s it for this edition of “Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now.”

Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for more.

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