Bird Flu Tracker Avian Influenza A H5N1

Bird Flu Update: US Poultry Sector Stabilizes Amid Ongoing VigilanceIn the United States, agricultural leaders report bird flu, or high-path avian influenza (HPAI), is increasingly under control, with Pennsylvania showcasing a poultry comeback at last week's Farm Show in Harrisburg. WVIA News highlights that no recent confirmed cases have hit Northeast or Central Pennsylvania, per USDA data as of January 21, with the state logging just one commercial flock and three backyard flocks affected, totaling 35,540 birds. Nationally, the USDA tallies 67 confirmed flocks over the last 30 days, impacting 1.48 million birds, mostly backyard operations across 29 states—Hawaii and Alaska remain untouched.Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, speaking to WVIA, called bird flu a top 2026 priority, praising biosecurity measures that have curbed spread since the 2022 outbreak in Lancaster County. The state leads uniquely with its HPAI Recovery Reimbursement Grant, offering up to $25,000 per farmer from a $2 million fund. Biosecurity educator Capri Stiles-Mikesell of Penn State Extension demonstrated live birds at the show, stressing simple protections like dedicated boots, disinfectants, and isolated feed stations to deter wild birds.Globally and in the US, concerns linger from 2025's severe cases, including a fatal Louisiana infection in an elderly patient exposed to sick birds, as detailed by The Transmission at UNMC. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency late that year after detections in raw milk, dairy farms, and even children, per LA Times reports. Yet, 2026 headlines have quieted, with no major flares in the last 24 hours.Experts like Redding affirm, "We've been fortunate... We're doing the right things." Poultry displays returned after quarantines, signaling industry resilience.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production—for me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird Flu Update: US Poultry Hits Hard as Human Cases LingerIn 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."Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

# Bird Flu UpdateThe United States is facing an intensifying avian influenza crisis as the outbreak continues to devastate poultry operations nationwide. According to the CDC's Weekly US Influenza Surveillance Report, over seventy thousand birds have been impacted across multiple states at the beginning of 2026, with the situation showing no signs of improvement.The Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported significant commercial poultry outbreaks this week. A broiler operation in Kent County, Delaware, suffered the largest detection with nearly one hundred forty-eight thousand birds affected. In Georgia, a commercial broiler breeder facility in Walker County saw over seventy-one thousand birds impacted. Additional commercial operations were hit hard, including nine thousand turkey breeder hens in Minnesota.Over the past forty days alone, authorities have confirmed seventy flocks with highly pathogenic avian influenza, comprising seventeen commercial operations and fifty-three backyard facilities. The cumulative toll since the outbreak began in February twenty twenty-two now exceeds one hundred eighty-five million birds across more than two thousand flocks.The egg industry has absorbed the brunt of these losses, representing seventy-five percent of all affected animals, according to analysis from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Turkey operations account for approximately eleven percent of losses, while meat chicken producers represent eight percent. Experts warn that the virus is expected to kill millions of additional animals this winter.The situation extends beyond commercial operations. The USDA recorded eighty detections in wild birds this week, with over sixty involving wild and hunter-harvested mallards. Additional detections included ducks in Maine, geese in Nebraska, and a bald eagle in Florida.According to the University of Nebraska Medical Center's analysis of Department of Agriculture data, the nation has gained almost no ground since the outbreak's inception in twenty twenty-two. January twenty twenty-five marked the worst month on record, and twenty twenty-five proved a worse year overall than twenty twenty-four, which was worse than twenty twenty-three. Currently, twenty-five states report cases within the past month.Experts emphasize that most birds have not died from the flu itself. Rather, they have been culled preemptively as federal policy mandates the killing of animals housed near infected flocks as a containment measure.The ongoing crisis poses one of the most serious threats to American agriculture this century, yet cheaper egg prices have somewhat muted public discussion surrounding the outbreak.Thank you for tuning in. Please join us next week for more updates on this developing situation. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird flu continues to ravage U.S. poultry operations with no signs of abatement. According to a STAT News analysis published January 14, the H5N1 outbreak since 2022 has claimed nearly 185 million birds, mostly culled preemptively, equivalent to half the U.S. population if they were people. Cases surged in 25 states last month after a summer lull, with January 2025 marking the worst month on record and 2025 worse than 2024.USDA APHIS reports major commercial outbreaks in the last 40 days affecting 1.17 million birds across 70 flocks, including 17 commercial ones. Highlights include 147,900 broilers in Kent County, Delaware; 71,300 at a broiler breeder facility in Walker County, Georgia; and 9,000 turkey breeder hens in Meeker County, Minnesota. Smaller hits struck Colorado, Kansas, and Oregon. Since February 2022, over 185 million birds in 2,022 flocks have been impacted. Wild bird detections, especially in mallards, numbered 80 nationwide this week, signaling endemic spread.The egg industry bears 75% of losses, driving up consumer costs by $14.5 billion in one year alone, per STAT. Taxpayers have footed $1.8 billion in USDA indemnifications over three years. Experts like veterinary scientists Ellen P. Carlin and Gwendolen Reyes-Illg argue in STAT that available USDA-licensed vaccines could slash outbreaks, as seen in France with 99% reduction in ducks, but Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins deems them off the table over trade concerns, despite a draft national strategy.Human risk remains low. The CDC's FluView for the week ending January 10 reports no new avian H5N1 infections in people and no person-to-person spread. Seasonal flu dominates, with hospitalizations dropping slightly but still high.Calls grow for vaccination from bipartisan lawmakers like Sen. Mike Rounds and trade groups, amid warnings of pandemic potential.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird flu continues to devastate American agriculture as the H5N1 outbreak shows no signs of slowing. According to STAT News analysis of Department of Agriculture data, the United States has gained almost no ground since the outbreak began in 2022, with 2025 proving worse than 2024, which was worse than 2023. January 2025 was the worst month on record.Since 2022, the outbreak has resulted in the loss of nearly 185 million birds raised for food. The egg industry has borne the brunt, representing 75 percent of lost animals, while turkeys account for about 11 percent and meat chickens 8 percent. Most animals have not died from the flu itself but have been killed preemptively as part of federal policy when housed near infected flocks.The current situation remains dire heading into winter. Farm Progress reports that bird flu has spread across 11 states since the end of December, with 25 states experiencing cases in the last month. The CDC notes that while the current public health risk to Americans remains low, H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cattle, with sporadic human cases appearing among dairy and poultry workers. To date, person-to-person transmission has not been identified in the United States.The economic toll on consumers has been staggering. In one year of the outbreak, consumers spent 14.5 billion dollars more on eggs due to supply reduction. Taxpayers have also borne significant costs, with the USDA spending 1.8 billion dollars on response in the first three years, mostly through indemnification payments to farmers.Agriculture experts and lawmakers have urged the government to pursue vaccination as a solution. According to STAT News reporting, the USDA has licensed at least eight vaccines and has poured money into bird flu vaccine development for years. France reduced its outbreak size by up to 99 percent when it vaccinated ducks. However, the official USDA policy remains limited to biosecurity measures and mass killing, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stating that vaccines are off the table, citing concerns about trade barriers with international partners.Multiple bipartisan congressional members, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have publicly urged the administration to pursue a targeted vaccination strategy. Major farming trade groups agree on the need for vaccination. The USDA has announced a draft national vaccination strategy, though its future remains unclear.Thank you for tuning in to this update on bird flu. Be sure to come back next week for more news and developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more information, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

# Bird Flu Update: Global Threat Intensifies as H5N1 Spreads UncheckedScientists are sounding the alarm about bird flu as the H5N1 virus continues its relentless spread across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 992 human infections with avian influenza since 2003, with nearly 48 percent proving fatal. The situation has grown increasingly dire since the virus was first detected in 2020.Dr. Ed Hutchinson, a professor of molecular and cellular virology at the University of Glasgow, told BBC Science Focus that the virus is now "completely out of control" as a disease of wild animals. He explained there is no feasible containment method other than watching it infect huge populations of animals as it rages around the world.The scale of the outbreak is staggering. Over 285 million birds have been affected in the United States alone since February 2022. More alarming is the virus's ability to jump species barriers. In 2024, H5N1 was discovered in dairy cattle for the first time, an development no one anticipated. The CDC reports that 71 cases of human transmission from poultry or cattle have occurred in the U.S., resulting in two deaths.What makes this particularly concerning is the virus's genetic makeup. Researchers from Cambridge and Glasgow universities discovered that bird flu viruses are resistant to fever, meaning that human body temperature increases during illness may not provide protection. This is due to a specific viral gene that allows the virus to thrive at higher temperatures similar to birds' body temperatures.Globally, the current strain, known as clade 2.3.4.4b, evolved between 2018 and 2020 and has spread worldwide by 2021 through 2023. Scientists warn the virus is just one mutation away from sustained human-to-human transmission, which could spark a pandemic.In December, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a new spillover event of H5N1 into dairy cattle, genotype D1.1, indicating the virus continues to evolve and jump between species. The Global Virus Network urged countries in April 2025 to improve surveillance and implement biosecurity measures to prepare for potential human-to-human transmission.While the CDC currently assesses the public health risk to Americans as low, the agency is monitoring the situation carefully. Scientists will continue watching throughout 2026 for evidence that H5N1 has mutated enough to transmit from person to person, a development that could trigger a global health emergency.Thanks for tuning in. Come back next week for more updates on this developing story. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. health officials say bird flu remains a serious animal health crisis but not yet a human one, even as scientists warn the virus is “completely out of control” in wildlife and livestock globally, according to reporting compiled by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Science Focus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest FluView update for the week ending January 3, 2026, reports no human H5 bird flu infections detected through its national influenza surveillance systems and continues to rate current public health risk in the U.S. as low, even as seasonal flu activity stays elevated. The CDC notes that H5 bird flu has not been identified in routine respiratory samples from patients hospitalized with influenza-like illness, underscoring that human cases remain rare and sporadic. Experts remain uneasy. Scientists interviewed by Science Focus and summarized by UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security this week say highly pathogenic H5N1 has now infected hundreds of millions of birds, swept through poultry operations, and become established in U.S. dairy cattle since 2024, a species jump few anticipated. They describe the virus as “raging around the world” in wild animals, with no realistic way to eliminate it from nature, raising the long-term risk of further mutations. Globally, infectious-disease specialists writing in The Conversation and carried by Gavi’s VaccinesWork platform say H5N1 will be one of the most closely watched viruses in 2026. Researchers are looking for any genetic changes that might enable efficient human‑to‑human transmission, the key step toward a pandemic. Current seasonal flu vaccines are not expected to protect well against H5N1, but several targeted bird flu vaccine candidates are under development and could be deployed for high‑risk workers if needed. For now, officials emphasize that people at greatest risk are those with prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected birds, cattle, or their environments, such as farm and processing‑plant workers. Consumers are advised to avoid raw milk and ensure poultry, eggs, and meat are thoroughly cooked, standard food safety measures that inactivate influenza viruses. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more from me check out QuietPlease dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. and global health officials are intensifying surveillance of bird flu as scientists warn 2026 could bring a higher risk of a human pandemic if the virus keeps evolving in animals.In the United States, the Washington State Department of Health yesterday issued updated clinical guidance after confirming in November 2025 the nation’s first known human case of H5N5 avian influenza, a severe infection that resulted in death. The department stresses that overall risk to the general public remains low, but urges clinicians to ask flu patients about recent contact with sick birds, poultry, livestock, or raw milk and to test and isolate suspected cases quickly.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to report that current public health risk from bird flu is low, yet officials are closely watching dairy and poultry operations after the virus became established in U.S. dairy cattle in recent years. According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, California alone has accounted for more than half of the country’s confirmed human bird flu infections since 2021, largely among dairy and poultry workers with prolonged exposure to infected animals.Globally, scientists interviewed by Science Focus warn that highly pathogenic H5N1 has infected hundreds of millions of farmed birds, spread widely in wild bird populations, and spilled over into a growing list of mammals. One virologist described the disease in wild animals as “completely out of control” and said there is no realistic way to contain it other than monitoring its spread. Experts caution that while human cases are still rare, every new animal outbreak is another opportunity for the virus to mutate in ways that might make sustained human-to-human transmission possible.For now, health authorities in the U.S. and abroad are emphasizing basic precautions: avoid handling sick or dead birds, report unusual wildlife die-offs, and for farm and dairy workers, use protective gear and follow biosecurity rules. Seasonal flu vaccination is also being encouraged to reduce the risk of people being co-infected with both seasonal and avian influenza, a combination that could help the virus adapt more easily to humans.Thank you for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more from me check out QuietPlease dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

.S. senators are ramping up pressure on the USDA to fast-track a science-based bird flu vaccination plan for poultry amid ongoing outbreaks that have killed over 180 million birds since 2022. Vet Candy reports that a bipartisan group of 23 senators sent a letter this week to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, demanding urgency as infections surge in winter months driven by wild bird migration and farm vulnerabilities.The plea highlights frustrations with biosecurity alone, which USDA officials call the primary defense but veterinarians say falls short. Despite a June confirmation of vaccine development and 400 research proposals from a 100 million dollar federal fund for egg-laying hens, no timelines or decisions have emerged. Frontline vets face uncertainty, advising producers on depopulation while trade concerns loom, as many countries ban imports from vaccinated flocks.Politics add tension: the Trump administration axed a 700 million dollar Moderna human bird flu vaccine contract, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has slashed other vaccine funding, stirring worries in animal health circles despite distinctions between human and poultry shots.Globally, bird flu persists, but U.S. focus sharpens on poultry losses threatening egg and meat supplies. The CDC's latest flu report for week 52, ending December 27 and released January 5, notes elevated seasonal influenza but no fresh H5N1 human cases in the past day.No major human infections or new outbreaks reported in the last 24 hours, keeping the virus primarily an animal crisis.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

H5N1 bird flu continues to circulate widely in the United States, with GISAID reporting ongoing spread in dairy cows, poultry, and wild birds as of January 1, driven by the clade 2.3.4.4b strain. The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced on December 31 that four dairy herds remain under quarantine, including one re-quarantined after a new detection on a previously cleared site, amid 766 total infected dairies since 2024.In human cases, the CDC has confirmed 71 infections nationwide, mostly mild eye and respiratory symptoms among farm workers exposed to infected animals, according to GISAID data through December 30. California leads with 38 cases linked to dairy cows, while 41 total tie to cows and 24 to poultry. No person-to-person transmission is reported, though one mammalian adaptation marker appeared in a single worker.A notable development: Washington State Department of Health reported a hospitalized resident in Grays County—the first human case of a rare influenza A H5 strain never before seen in people—linked to backyard poultry exposed to wild birds. The patient, with underlying conditions, remains hospitalized since early November, but no related infections have surfaced.Globally, the virus persists unpredictably, with high RNA levels in raw milk and infections across mammals like cats and coyotes. Vets are pushing back against USDA's ventilation shutdown depopulation methods for poultry flocks, per My Vet Candy on January 2. CIDRAP noted a fresh avian flu case in Nebraska yesterday.Public risk stays low, per CDC, but experts urge vigilance during migratory bird season. Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird flu continues to challenge US poultry farmers as 2026 begins, with ongoing recoveries from massive flock losses and warnings of persistent risks. In Ohio, farmers are still rebuilding after highly pathogenic avian influenza wiped out over 15 million birds starting Christmas Eve 2024, according to Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. Ohio Poultry Association executive vice president Jim Chakeres notes flocks aren't fully restocked due to two-year scheduling delays, amid nationwide losses nearing 175 million birds since 2022 that have driven up egg and poultry prices.No new commercial cases reported in Ohio recently, but wild birds carry the virus, including 72 vultures that died last month in Clermont County from preliminary lab tests. Iowa recorded ten avian flu cases in 2025, killing over 758,000 birds, per KGAN reports. As of early November, USDA data showed 67 flocks affected nationwide in 30 days, leading to 3.72 million bird deaths.Human risk stays low, with at least 70 US infections mostly among farmworkers and one death, says UNMC Health Security. Indian researchers from Ashoka University warn in BMC Public Health of potential H5N1 human spread, urging better surveillance after 990 global cases since 2003 with 48 percent fatality.Vaccination remains off-limits for US flocks due to USDA trade concerns, despite a 100 million dollar study underway. Biosecurity is at peak levels, limiting farm access.Grant County Health in Washington distinguishes bird flu from seasonal flu surging there, with no person-to-person bird flu transmission.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

# Bird Flu UpdateBird flu continues to spread across the United States, with new outbreaks emerging in multiple states and concerns growing among public health officials.According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, new avian flu outbreaks have been reported in five states as of December 11th. In Indiana, the situation has escalated significantly, with outbreaks at commercial duck meat facilities affecting more than 15,000 birds.The human impact remains limited but serious. Washington Department of Health confirmed the first known human case of H5N5 avian influenza in November of this year. The patient was hospitalized with severe disease and unfortunately died, marking a significant development in the outbreak. Symptoms of avian influenza in humans can range from mild to severe and mirror those of seasonal influenza.Meanwhile, wildlife authorities are investigating suspected bird flu deaths in Florida. Officials suspect bird flu after 12 swans died recently at Lake Eolas Park in downtown Orlando. About five dozen swans lived at the park before these recent deaths. The last bird flu outbreak at the park occurred in February 2024. Because the deaths occurred during the holiday season, the citys specialized veterinarians were unable to perform immediate evaluations. Dead swans have been stored securely for necropsies to determine the cause of death.According to the CDC and Washington Department of Health, the risk of avian influenza to the general public remains low, though officials are closely monitoring the situation. Transmission between humans is extremely rare and has not been documented in the United States. The greatest risk to the general public continues to be seasonal influenza.Health officials recommend that people avoid handling sick or dead birds or wildlife. Healthcare workers are advised to treat suspected avian influenza patients immediately with antiviral medications and to use strict isolation and personal protective equipment protocols.The seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. While the seasonal vaccine does not protect against avian influenza, it reduces the risk of co-infections, which public health officials consider an important concern.Thanks for tuning in to this bird flu update. Be sure to check back next week for more health and science news. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more information, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird flu continues to spread in US livestock and wildlife, with a new spillover event confirmed in a Wisconsin dairy herd on December 26, according to Cheese Reporter. This marks the 1,084th confirmed case in dairy herds across 19 states since the outbreak began, highlighting ongoing risks to milk production from wildlife transmission.In Washington state, King County Public Health issued updated guidance on December 26, urging healthcare providers to screen all suspected flu patients for avian influenza exposure, such as contact with sick birds, livestock, or raw milk. The CDC maintains the public risk remains low, but recommends immediate oseltamivir treatment for suspected cases and annual flu shots to prevent co-infections. Earlier this month, Washington's first H5N5 human case resulted in a patient's death, per state health officials.Wildlife impacts persist: Two barn owls at Washington's Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge tested positive for bird flu last week, as reported by The Jolt News, underscoring the virus's foothold in raptors despite their rodent-based diet. In Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources warned on December 22 of a potentially active season ahead for highly pathogenic avian influenza in waterfowl and vultures, advising reports of dead birds to USDA at 1-877-463-6497.No new human cases emerged in the last 24 hours, and global reports remain quiet, with US authorities emphasizing biosecurity for farms and avoidance of sick wildlife.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

A second human bird flu case has been confirmed on a Queen Annes County farm in Maryland, according to Phys.org, bringing the US total to 71 confirmed human infections, including two deaths. The most recent US death involved an H5N5 strain in a person with underlying conditions and bird contact, while the Maryland farm tested positive on December 19 and was immediately quarantined by state veterinarians.In Iowa, Canada geese at Green Valley Lake and Lake of Three Fires tested positive for H5 avian influenza on December 18, the Iowa DNR reports, marking new wildlife outbreaks in the states southwest region amid reports of mass mortality events.Globally, the FAO logs 1738 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in animals across 41 countries since October 23, with the US reporting 689 events affecting wild birds, mammals like house mice and skunks, and poultry. Recent detections include H5N1 in birds in Hungary and Italy as of December 22, per Hong Kongs Centre for Health Protection.US impacts remain severe, with over 180 million poultry infected and more than 1000 dairy farms hit, driving up egg prices and costing the government over 1.19 billion dollars in reimbursements, Science Focus notes. Human cases stay mostly mild but scientists warn of pandemic risk in 2026 if the virus evolves further.Senator Jack Reed urges hearings and a national strategy, criticizing delays in vaccination programs for poultry amid the viruss spread to mammals like cows and bears.No new human cases reported in the last 24 hours, but experts stress low general public risk while cautioning farm and backyard bird handlers.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird Flu Update: Latest Developments in North AmericaH5N1 avian influenza continues spreading across the United States with significant momentum heading into the final days of December. According to GISAID, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, specifically Clade 2.3.4.4b, remains active in dairy cows, poultry, and other animals across the country. The CDC has confirmed 71 human cases through genome sequence analysis since April 2024.The situation remains unpredictable. Virus RNA has been detected at high concentrations in raw milk, and the exact route of exposure in dairy cows and transmission methods remain unknown. Data from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service show that viruses in infected cows, other animals, and farm workers are closely related. Farm workers continue showing mild symptoms, primarily eye irritation alongside respiratory issues, with nearly all cases remaining mild.Recent developments highlight the virus's ongoing evolution. On February 11, the USDA released data on the first cases of genotype D1.1 detected in dairy cows. A human fatality was reported involving a Louisiana patient exposed to backyard poultry and wild birds. On March 19, the CDC confirmed the first human case in Ohio with genotype D1.3. Farm workers in Iowa and Wisconsin have tested positive after exposure to infected commercial poultry, with the D1.1 genotype also detected in cases in Washington state and a severe case in British Columbia.On the state level, Maryland reported its tenth case of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in 2025. According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, a commercial broiler farm in Queen Anne's County confirmed a presumptive positive case on December 20, marking the second case in that county this year. All affected premises have been quarantined, and birds are being depopulated to prevent spread. The Maryland Department of Health emphasizes that transmission risk to the general public remains low, though those working directly with poultry or dairy farms face higher exposure.Wild bird populations continue showing infection. DC Health reported detection of H5 avian influenza in a wild Canada goose on December 17. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources warns that the coming months could prove active for bird flu in wild bird populations, particularly among waterfowl, raptors, and black vultures. Health officials urge enhanced biosecurity practices and recommend common precautions for anyone handling wild birds.That's the latest on bird flu developments across North America. Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more updates on this developing story. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bird flu continues to surge across US farms with no new human cases in the last day but growing calls for action. The European Food Safety Authority reports on December 16 that the risk of H5N1 from US dairy herds spreading to Europe remains very low yet urges strict biosecurity like pasteurization of milk and trade restrictions to avert significant impacts. In the US, Senator Jack Reed demands Senate hearings and a national strategy after the virus hit dairy herds in 18 states including California, Texas, and Wisconsin, criticizing the Trump Administration for canceling a Moderna vaccine contract and underusing funds amid egg price spikes.Indiana's Board of Animal Health confirmed on December 18 a new outbreak in a LaGrange County commercial egg layer flock of 2,800 birds, marking over 1,700 US premises affected since 2022 with quarantines and surveillance ramped up. CIDRAP notes Wisconsin detected avian flu on December 16 while Farm Progress America highlighted a surge across seven states on December 17, worsened by winter weather creating ideal spread conditions.Globally, scientists at Ashoka University simulated in BMC Public Health how H5N1 could jump to sustained human transmission without early quarantine, echoing ECDC warnings of unprecedented wild bird detections in Europe. CDC affirms low public risk from sporadic worker infections but monitors closely, separate from seasonal flu's three pediatric deaths this season.No major developments in the past 24 hours but experts stress vaccination and surveillance to prevent escalation.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. health officials say highly pathogenic H5 bird flu remains a concern this winter, with fresh animal outbreaks but no major change in human risk.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that since 2024 there have been 71 human H5 cases in the United States, including two deaths, almost all in dairy and poultry workers with direct animal exposure. CDC continues to rate the current public health risk to the general U.S. population as low, and there is still no evidence of sustained person to person spread.On the animal front, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agencies are tracking a new seasonal surge in birds and scattered detections in dairy cattle. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota reports that Wisconsin recently detected H5N1 in a dairy herd for the first time via routine milk testing, although the cows showed no clear signs of illness and regulators stress that pasteurized milk remains safe and milk from affected animals is being discarded. Farm Progress notes that seven U.S. states are now coping with heightened avian flu activity in poultry as colder weather and wild bird migration create what analysts describe as a perfect storm for spread.At the same time, some local outbreaks are winding down. Grant County Health District in Washington state announced last week that its fall bird flu outbreak in a commercial poultry flock has officially ended after containment measures and worker monitoring, again with no human to human transmission detected.Beyond livestock, wildlife die offs are signaling the virus is still circulating widely in North America. Public radio station WVIA reports that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating the deaths of roughly 400 snow geese at a Northampton County quarry, with officials saying highly pathogenic avian influenza is the likely cause based on previous confirmed events in the same region.Globally, veterinary and public health agencies continue to monitor H5N1 across Europe, Asia, and Africa, watching closely for any genetic changes that might increase its ability to spread between people. So far, human infections worldwide remain rare and linked mainly to close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.That’s the latest on bird flu. Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more from me check out QuietPlease dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Federal and state officials are tracking a fresh wave of bird flu activity in animals across the United States, even as public health agencies maintain that the overall risk to people remains low.The most notable development is in the Midwest. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed Wisconsin’s first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a dairy cattle herd, detected through the national milk testing strategy launched in late 2024. According to a USDA news release summarized by veterinary outlet dvm360 and the University of Minnesota’s CIDRAP, the infected herd showed little obvious illness, and officials stress that pasteurized milk remains safe because pasteurization inactivates the virus and milk from affected cows is kept out of commerce.CDC’s latest national situation summary reports that since 2024 there have been 71 confirmed or probable human H5 bird flu cases linked mainly to dairy herds and poultry operations, with overall public health risk in the U.S. still assessed as low. Most infections occurred in workers with close, unprotected exposure to infected animals.In poultry, outbreaks continue to flare with the fall and winter migration. CIDRAP reports that in the past month about 880,000 U.S. birds have been affected in 90 commercial and backyard flocks, including major turkey losses in Minnesota and North Dakota and a new commercial duck meat detection in Indiana. Arkansas extension officials say more than 1.16 million birds in 108 flocks have tested positive for H5N1 in the past month as peak waterfowl migration brings added risk to local producers.Some local responses are winding down. Grant County, Washington, health officials announced this week that their October commercial poultry outbreak response has formally ended, though they caution that detections in wild birds and other animals continue and are likely to recur during migration seasons.Globally, concern centers on preventing the cattle-associated U.S. H5N1 strain from spreading abroad. The European Food Safety Authority said this week that introduction of bird flu from U.S. dairy cattle into Europe is considered very unlikely, but it urged continued vigilance and surveillance across the European Union.Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more from me check out QuietPlease dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. health officials say the overall risk to the public from bird flu remains low, but surveillance is tightening as the virus continues to circulate in birds and some mammals worldwide.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, as of its latest weekly update for early December, no sustained person to person transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in the United States. CDC says current human infections linked to birds or animals remain rare, sporadic, and closely monitored.In Washington State, Grant County health officials announced Friday that their recent avian influenza outbreak in a commercial poultry operation has officially been declared over. According to the Grant County Health District, no human cases were identified among workers or contacts at that site, and all response activities have been completed. The agency stressed that while the risk to humans remains low, people who work with poultry or other potentially infected animals should continue using protective gear and follow biosecurity guidelines.Nationally, detections of bird flu in wild birds and backyard or commercial flocks continue to be reported during the fall migration period, and federal and state agriculture departments are culling affected flocks, restricting movement, and expanding testing to limit spread. Public health agencies are also watching dairy cattle, after previous detections of avian influenza virus in raw milk from infected herds, although pasteurized milk remains safe to drink according to U.S. food safety authorities.Globally, the virus is still taking a toll on wild birds and poultry. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reports suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza behind large die offs of wild geese and other birds in parts of Canada, including southern Manitoba, and in locations as far away as Hawaii. These events underscore concerns among scientists that the virus is now entrenched in wild bird populations, raising the risk of repeated spillovers into domestic flocks and occasional mammal infections.Health experts continue to advise avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, not handling raw milk from ill animals, and reporting unusual die offs to local authorities. Officials emphasize that people who develop flu like symptoms after close contact with infected birds or mammals should seek medical care and mention that exposure.Thank you for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more from me check out QuietPlease dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. bird flu surveillance is intensifying this week as new animal infections and fresh research findings keep H5 viruses in the spotlight.In Texas, Focus Daily News and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report highly pathogenic avian influenza detections in multiple regions of the state, prompting warnings to hunters, landowners, and poultry producers to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds and to tighten farm biosecurity. The San Antonio Express News notes Texas poultry producers are bracing for possible supply disruptions and higher egg prices if outbreaks spread in commercial flocks.In Delaware, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced that a sick snow goose found in eastern Kent County has tested presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza, the first such detection in a snow goose there this season. Delaware Online reports officials are urging poultry and livestock owners to keep domestic birds away from wild waterfowl, restrict farm visitors, and follow strict cleaning and disinfection protocols.On the human health front, Iowa Public Radio highlights new research indicating that mammary glands in humans, sheep, and other livestock may be capable of harboring H5N1, raising questions about how the virus behaves in dairy herds and whether milk tissue could be a reservoir. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cited in that report, says at least 71 people in the U.S. have been infected with H5N1 so far, with two deaths, almost all tied to close contact with infected birds or dairy cows and no confirmed person to person spread.Globally, the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific office reports 30 new highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in animals from late November to early December, including major H5N1 events in Japanese poultry and wild birds and additional cases in wild birds in South Korea. Separately, My Vet Candy reports that nearly nine million poultry have been culled worldwide since October, with large losses in the United States, Canada, and Germany, and experts warning that migratory birds continue to drive international spread.Public health agencies continue to stress that the overall risk to the general public remains low, but they advise avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and thoroughly cooking poultry and eggs.Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more from me, check out QuietPlease dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI