Bird Flu Update: US Poultry Hits Hard as Human Cases Linger

In the United States, highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to ravage poultry operations, with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reporting major commercial outbreaks in Delaware and Georgia this week. A Kent County, Delaware, broiler farm lost 147,900 birds, while Walker County, Georgia, saw 71,300 affected at a broiler breeder facility, according to CIDRAP. Kansas is enduring its worst bird flu outbreak since 2023, impacting over 10 counties and forcing quarantines in three, the Kansas State Collegian reports. Over the past 40 days, 70 flocks nationwide confirmed HPAI, affecting 1.17 million birds, adding to 185 million since 2022.

The CDC's FluSurv-NET data through January 10 shows influenza hospitalizations dropping, with a weekly rate of 5.6 per 100,000, down from 11.6, though cumulative rates remain high at 50.4 per 100,000, second only to past peaks. NHSN reports 27,428 flu-related hospital admissions in week 1, with rates decreasing across all ages and regions. Elderly over 65 face the highest risks at 28.7 per 100,000.

Human cases persist: Since 2024, over 70 H5N1 infections confirmed, including one death in Louisiana in early 2025, per AAP Pediatrics and UNMC Transmission. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency late last year amid dairy and raw milk detections.

Globally, bird flu struck endangered whooping cranes in Saskatchewan, Canada, with two deaths confirmed last October, a first for the species, CKOM reports. Dozens of wild duck detections signal ongoing spread.

Purdue Extension urges biosecurity amid Indiana's past outbreaks costing over $1.4 billion nationally.

Experts like Purdue's Darrin Karcher warn, "We weathered the first storm, but we're not out of this yet."

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