This is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now, your trusted source for the latest developments on bird flu across the United States.
Today is July 28, 2025, and the landscape surrounding H5N1 avian influenza in America has shifted noticeably over the past month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 70 human cases have been identified in the United States since the beginning of 2024. Most of these involved direct exposure among dairy and poultry workers, with two reported fatalities since the outbreak began. However, there have been no recent reports of new human cases, and the CDC continues to assess the risk to the general public as low.
As for the animal situation, the US Department of Agriculture indicates that H5N1 remains widespread among wild birds nationwide, with ongoing but declining outbreaks in poultry and, more recently, in dairy cattle. Since last year, more than 1,000 dairy herds across 17 states have reported infections, but only one new herd case has been detected in the past 30 days. Similarly, the number of newly impacted poultry flocks is down significantly, with only three new affected flocks reported this month. The economic pressure on farmers and producers remains considerable, but egg prices, which reached record highs earlier in the year, have now dropped substantially according to the USDA.
In early July, the CDC officially deactivated its emergency response for H5N1, noting the significant decline in both human and animal cases. Surveillance continues as before, but updates are now incorporated into regular influenza data, with cases in animals tracked on the USDA site. The CDC also highlights that there has not been any evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1 in the United States to date.
Recent research offers crucial practical guidance. The FDA confirms that pasteurization inactivates H5N1 in milk. This means the commercial milk supply remains safe, but consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products is strongly discouraged, as animals fed raw milk have contracted the virus. For the public, the CDC emphasizes that those without direct contact with infected livestock or poultry remain at low risk, but workers in those sectors should strictly observe recommended biosecurity and protective measures.
Comparing this week’s situation to previous weeks, the overall trend is increasingly positive. Animal and human case numbers both continue to decline. The CDC and USDA’s updated containment and reporting measures reflect these steady improvements, and several states are scaling back emergency declarations.
As a reminder, if you have had close contact with sick or dead birds, poultry, or dairy cows, or develop symptoms such as conjunctivitis after such exposure, seek medical advice promptly. Otherwise, for most Americans, no new precautions are necessary at this time.
That concludes today’s Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Thank you for tuning in. Please join us again next week for the latest updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta