Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now
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Welcome to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Im your host, bringing you the latest on the ongoing avian influenza situation in the United States. Today, were covering confirmed cases in humans and animals, updates from CDC and USDA, guidance changes, key research, what it means for you, and how things stack up against recent weeks. All facts straight from official sources like CDC and USDA reports.
First, human cases. CDC confirms 71 total H5N1 cases in the US since 2024, with 41 linked to dairy herds, 24 to poultry operations, three to other animals, and three unknown. The most recent in 2025, as of late February per CDCs February 26 spotlight, include a dairy worker in Nevada, a poultry worker in Ohio, and a backyard flock owner in Wyoming. No person-to-person spread detected, and public risk remains low. Louisianas case marked the first US H5N1 human death.
In animals, its widespread. USDA data shows 989 dairy herds affected in 17 states since March 2024, plus 336 commercial poultry flocks and 207 backyard flocks totaling over 90 million birds. California reports ongoing dairy outbreaks, with CDFA confirming cases in up to 28 herds in recent 30-day periods through late February 2025. Wild birds see rising mortalities this winter, per Cornell Ag Informer and New York ag alerts, especially waterfowl like snow geese and Canada geese in states including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Recent die-offs: 70 black vultures in Ohio and 400 snow geese in Pennsylvania in December.
CDC and USDA updates from the past week: No major shifts since CDCs July 2025 streamlined reporting, now monthly with FluView. USDA handles animal data. Public health risk low, but surveillance ramps up for exposed workers.
Guidance steady: CDC monitors via flu systems, testing over 240,000 specimens since 2024, detecting seven cases. Biosecurity key, per Cornell and state ag departments: Lock barns, limit wild bird contact, report sick animals. Dairy and poultry workers, pasteurize milk, cook eggs and meat fully.
Research note: CDCs analysis of recent cases found PB2 mutations like D701N and E627K, linked to better mammal replication but no antiviral resistance or vaccine issues. New University of Michigan work uses AI and robotics to test bird flu drugs, published February 2.
For you: Risk is low unless handling sick animals. Avoid wild bird droppings, practice hygiene. Milk and eggs safe when pasteurized or cooked.
Compared to prior weeks: Stable human cases, no surge beyond three in early 2025. Animal detections persist at high levels into this fourth outbreak year, with winter wild bird upticks expected through spring migration, per Farm and Dairy.
Thanks for tuning in. Join us next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
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