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Bird Flu Outbreak Escalates: 70 Human Cases, Millions of Birds Culled as H5N1 Spreads Across US Farms
This is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now for November 12, 2025.
The United States continues to grapple with the nation’s largest-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu. According to the CDC’s latest monthly situation summary, there have now been 70 confirmed H5N1 cases in humans in the US since the spring of 2024. The most recent cases, identified in October, involved two individuals working on dairy farms in Texas and California, both recovering after mild symptoms. The majority of this year’s human cases continue to be linked to direct contact with infected dairy herds and poultry flocks, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission to date, as emphasized by CDC updates.
On the animal health front, the USDA reports that H5N1 remains widespread. Since September, the virus has forced the culling of more than 3.5 million turkeys, chickens, and ducks as authorities attempt containment. The most recent USDA figures confirm five new outbreaks within the past week, including three in Indiana—two at duck farms and one small backyard flock—plus a turkey farm in Michigan and a poultry case in Washington state. Michigan's Ottawa County alone lost over 100,000 turkeys, marking the state’s third such outbreak in less than a week. In total, more than 90 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been affected nationwide this year. Outbreaks are also still ongoing in dairy cattle, particularly across California, Texas, and the Midwest.
Public health agencies continue to stress that the current risk to the general US population remains low. The CDC says people exposed through work with potentially infected animals or contaminated materials still face a moderate to high risk. For these groups, regular testing and monitoring have been increased, and monthly national H5 surveillance updates are now posted online for transparency. A ban on all California poultry and dairy exhibitions is still in effect to curb further spread and protect livestock health.
Meanwhile, Thanksgiving celebrations may be impacted, with the American Farm Bureau Federation reporting turkey stocks at their lowest levels in forty years due to the virus and preemptive culling. Consumers may notice higher prices and limited availability for both turkeys and eggs this month.
In research highlights, the USDA recently allotted $100 million towards vaccine development and new treatments for H5N1. Ongoing genetic sequencing by CDC and USDA labs has identified evolving strains, including the detection of the H5N9 subtype in California earlier this year. Recent veterinary research confirms the virus has adapted to infect both dairy cows and, in rare cases, marine mammals.
Comparing this week to earlier periods, the number of outbreaks has sharply risen since early fall. Outbreaks in both animals and human cases now outpace previous years. For example, in the first nine weeks of this fall season, the number of birds lost to H5N1 is almost twenty times higher than the same period in 2024.
To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and farm animals, and not handling raw milk or undercooked eggs from affected regions. Anyone potentially exposed should monitor for flu-like symptoms and report them promptly to health authorities. There’s currently no general recommendation for vaccination, but this may change as surveillance continues.
Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Check back next week for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, visit Quiet Please Dot A I. Stay informed and stay safe.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
The United States continues to grapple with the nation’s largest-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu. According to the CDC’s latest monthly situation summary, there have now been 70 confirmed H5N1 cases in humans in the US since the spring of 2024. The most recent cases, identified in October, involved two individuals working on dairy farms in Texas and California, both recovering after mild symptoms. The majority of this year’s human cases continue to be linked to direct contact with infected dairy herds and poultry flocks, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission to date, as emphasized by CDC updates.
On the animal health front, the USDA reports that H5N1 remains widespread. Since September, the virus has forced the culling of more than 3.5 million turkeys, chickens, and ducks as authorities attempt containment. The most recent USDA figures confirm five new outbreaks within the past week, including three in Indiana—two at duck farms and one small backyard flock—plus a turkey farm in Michigan and a poultry case in Washington state. Michigan's Ottawa County alone lost over 100,000 turkeys, marking the state’s third such outbreak in less than a week. In total, more than 90 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been affected nationwide this year. Outbreaks are also still ongoing in dairy cattle, particularly across California, Texas, and the Midwest.
Public health agencies continue to stress that the current risk to the general US population remains low. The CDC says people exposed through work with potentially infected animals or contaminated materials still face a moderate to high risk. For these groups, regular testing and monitoring have been increased, and monthly national H5 surveillance updates are now posted online for transparency. A ban on all California poultry and dairy exhibitions is still in effect to curb further spread and protect livestock health.
Meanwhile, Thanksgiving celebrations may be impacted, with the American Farm Bureau Federation reporting turkey stocks at their lowest levels in forty years due to the virus and preemptive culling. Consumers may notice higher prices and limited availability for both turkeys and eggs this month.
In research highlights, the USDA recently allotted $100 million towards vaccine development and new treatments for H5N1. Ongoing genetic sequencing by CDC and USDA labs has identified evolving strains, including the detection of the H5N9 subtype in California earlier this year. Recent veterinary research confirms the virus has adapted to infect both dairy cows and, in rare cases, marine mammals.
Comparing this week to earlier periods, the number of outbreaks has sharply risen since early fall. Outbreaks in both animals and human cases now outpace previous years. For example, in the first nine weeks of this fall season, the number of birds lost to H5N1 is almost twenty times higher than the same period in 2024.
To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and farm animals, and not handling raw milk or undercooked eggs from affected regions. Anyone potentially exposed should monitor for flu-like symptoms and report them promptly to health authorities. There’s currently no general recommendation for vaccination, but this may change as surveillance continues.
Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Check back next week for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, visit Quiet Please Dot A I. Stay informed and stay safe.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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By Inception Point AiThis is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now for November 12, 2025.
The United States continues to grapple with the nation’s largest-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu. According to the CDC’s latest monthly situation summary, there have now been 70 confirmed H5N1 cases in humans in the US since the spring of 2024. The most recent cases, identified in October, involved two individuals working on dairy farms in Texas and California, both recovering after mild symptoms. The majority of this year’s human cases continue to be linked to direct contact with infected dairy herds and poultry flocks, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission to date, as emphasized by CDC updates.
On the animal health front, the USDA reports that H5N1 remains widespread. Since September, the virus has forced the culling of more than 3.5 million turkeys, chickens, and ducks as authorities attempt containment. The most recent USDA figures confirm five new outbreaks within the past week, including three in Indiana—two at duck farms and one small backyard flock—plus a turkey farm in Michigan and a poultry case in Washington state. Michigan's Ottawa County alone lost over 100,000 turkeys, marking the state’s third such outbreak in less than a week. In total, more than 90 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been affected nationwide this year. Outbreaks are also still ongoing in dairy cattle, particularly across California, Texas, and the Midwest.
Public health agencies continue to stress that the current risk to the general US population remains low. The CDC says people exposed through work with potentially infected animals or contaminated materials still face a moderate to high risk. For these groups, regular testing and monitoring have been increased, and monthly national H5 surveillance updates are now posted online for transparency. A ban on all California poultry and dairy exhibitions is still in effect to curb further spread and protect livestock health.
Meanwhile, Thanksgiving celebrations may be impacted, with the American Farm Bureau Federation reporting turkey stocks at their lowest levels in forty years due to the virus and preemptive culling. Consumers may notice higher prices and limited availability for both turkeys and eggs this month.
In research highlights, the USDA recently allotted $100 million towards vaccine development and new treatments for H5N1. Ongoing genetic sequencing by CDC and USDA labs has identified evolving strains, including the detection of the H5N9 subtype in California earlier this year. Recent veterinary research confirms the virus has adapted to infect both dairy cows and, in rare cases, marine mammals.
Comparing this week to earlier periods, the number of outbreaks has sharply risen since early fall. Outbreaks in both animals and human cases now outpace previous years. For example, in the first nine weeks of this fall season, the number of birds lost to H5N1 is almost twenty times higher than the same period in 2024.
To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and farm animals, and not handling raw milk or undercooked eggs from affected regions. Anyone potentially exposed should monitor for flu-like symptoms and report them promptly to health authorities. There’s currently no general recommendation for vaccination, but this may change as surveillance continues.
Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Check back next week for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, visit Quiet Please Dot A I. Stay informed and stay safe.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
The United States continues to grapple with the nation’s largest-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu. According to the CDC’s latest monthly situation summary, there have now been 70 confirmed H5N1 cases in humans in the US since the spring of 2024. The most recent cases, identified in October, involved two individuals working on dairy farms in Texas and California, both recovering after mild symptoms. The majority of this year’s human cases continue to be linked to direct contact with infected dairy herds and poultry flocks, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission to date, as emphasized by CDC updates.
On the animal health front, the USDA reports that H5N1 remains widespread. Since September, the virus has forced the culling of more than 3.5 million turkeys, chickens, and ducks as authorities attempt containment. The most recent USDA figures confirm five new outbreaks within the past week, including three in Indiana—two at duck farms and one small backyard flock—plus a turkey farm in Michigan and a poultry case in Washington state. Michigan's Ottawa County alone lost over 100,000 turkeys, marking the state’s third such outbreak in less than a week. In total, more than 90 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been affected nationwide this year. Outbreaks are also still ongoing in dairy cattle, particularly across California, Texas, and the Midwest.
Public health agencies continue to stress that the current risk to the general US population remains low. The CDC says people exposed through work with potentially infected animals or contaminated materials still face a moderate to high risk. For these groups, regular testing and monitoring have been increased, and monthly national H5 surveillance updates are now posted online for transparency. A ban on all California poultry and dairy exhibitions is still in effect to curb further spread and protect livestock health.
Meanwhile, Thanksgiving celebrations may be impacted, with the American Farm Bureau Federation reporting turkey stocks at their lowest levels in forty years due to the virus and preemptive culling. Consumers may notice higher prices and limited availability for both turkeys and eggs this month.
In research highlights, the USDA recently allotted $100 million towards vaccine development and new treatments for H5N1. Ongoing genetic sequencing by CDC and USDA labs has identified evolving strains, including the detection of the H5N9 subtype in California earlier this year. Recent veterinary research confirms the virus has adapted to infect both dairy cows and, in rare cases, marine mammals.
Comparing this week to earlier periods, the number of outbreaks has sharply risen since early fall. Outbreaks in both animals and human cases now outpace previous years. For example, in the first nine weeks of this fall season, the number of birds lost to H5N1 is almost twenty times higher than the same period in 2024.
To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and farm animals, and not handling raw milk or undercooked eggs from affected regions. Anyone potentially exposed should monitor for flu-like symptoms and report them promptly to health authorities. There’s currently no general recommendation for vaccination, but this may change as surveillance continues.
Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Check back next week for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, visit Quiet Please Dot A I. Stay informed and stay safe.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI