Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now

This is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now, your weekly roundup of the latest avian influenza developments across America.

First, a look at the latest confirmed H5N1 cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has now reported a total of 70 human cases of H5N1 bird flu since April 2024, with 41 cases connected to dairy cattle and 26 associated with poultry. Tragically, the first US death from H5N1 occurred in Louisiana earlier this year. To date, there remains no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the US, and the overall public risk is still considered low according to both the CDC and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. However, those who work directly with poultry or dairy livestock face a moderate to high risk if exposed to contaminated surfaces or fluids.

Turning to animals, the US Department of Agriculture reports that outbreaks in dairy herds are ongoing, with 989 affected herds in 17 states as of this week. Commercial and backyard poultry flocks also continue to be hit, with over 90 million birds impacted in total. In the past seven days, new avian flu detections have been confirmed in wild ducks in New Hampshire, vultures in Kentucky and Utah, and geese in Illinois according to USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service data. Wild birds, without symptoms, are believed to be a major driver behind the continued spread across North America.

The CDC this week reaffirmed its surveillance systems for both seasonal and bird flu. Commercial labs are being urged to submit any influenza A positive samples for further subtyping, especially from hospitalized or high-risk patients, to help quickly detect any new H5N1 infections that could signal a change in the virus’s behavior. The CDC also revised reporting protocols and now publishes risk data monthly rather than weekly, reflecting a move toward routine monitoring similar to how standard influenza is tracked.

In light of recent trends, animal health officials in California continue their ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at shows and fairs due to ongoing infections in the state’s dairies. There are currently no active H5N1 outbreaks in California poultry flocks, but recurring cases in cows have prompted strict containment policies.

On the research front, the CDC’s most recent risk assessment highlighted gaps in our understanding of silent, asymptomatic H5N1 infections in both wild and domestic species. Recent genetic sequencing of virus samples from human and animal cases in Ohio and California show that the viruses belong to the 2.3.4.4 clade, which remains highly pathogenic but is not yet transmitting efficiently between people.

For listeners, the practical impact remains clear. For most people, the risk is still very low, but those working in or near poultry or dairy operations should maintain strict hygiene, use protective equipment, and report any flu-like symptoms after exposure to animals. Consumers are reminded that properly cooked poultry, meat, and eggs remain safe to eat, even during active outbreaks.

Comparing this week’s situation to last, the overall risk to the public has not shifted. However, the number of affected animal herds continues to climb, underscoring the need for renewed vigilance as wild birds begin their seasonal migrations and flocks are gathered for the holidays. The CDC and USDA remain on alert, ready to adapt guidance should the virus show signs of increased threat to humans.

Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Come back next week for more vital updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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