# AVIAN FLU WATCH: GLOBAL H5N1 TRACKER

PODCAST SCRIPT

Welcome to Avian Flu Watch, a data-focused tracking program examining the worldwide spread of H5N1. I'm your host, and today we're breaking down the latest epidemiological landscape with hard numbers and geographic precision.

Let's start with the Americas. The Pan American Health Organization reports that in 2025 alone, nine countries have confirmed 508 outbreaks in birds, with thousands of wild bird detections concentrated in the United States and Canada. Since 2022, nineteen countries and territories have reported 5,136 animal outbreaks total. Human infections remain rare but present. The Americas have documented 75 H5N1 cases since 2022, resulting in two deaths. In 2025 specifically, we've seen three cases in the United States and one in Mexico, alongside one H5N2 case and notably, one H5N5 case in the United States, marking the first global H5N5 human infection.

Moving to Asia, the picture darkens considerably. Cambodia has emerged as a critical hotspot, with 18 confirmed H5N1 cases in 2025. The World Health Organization documented three deaths in early 2025, including cases in children with direct poultry exposure. Between January and August 2025, global figures reached 26 human H5N1 infections, with Cambodia accounting for a significant portion. China reported six A(H9N2) cases and one A(H10N3) case during the December 2024 to March 2025 period.

Europe's surveillance data reveals 743 highly pathogenic H5N1 virus detections across 31 countries between December 2024 and March 2025, split between 239 domestic birds and 504 wild birds. The predominant clade 2.3.4.4b continues driving European activity, concentrated in central, western, and southeastern regions.

Regarding containment measures, the United States implemented interstate cattle testing protocols in April 2024, requiring testing of up to 30 randomly selected cattle before export approval. However, mathematical modeling suggests these measures have prevented only a mean 175.2 reported outbreaks, proving insufficient to control spread. Stronger farm-focused biosecurity interventions remain urgently needed. Epidemiological models predict Arizona and Wisconsin face greatest outbreak risk, with continued dairy spread anticipated throughout 2025.

The transmission landscape reveals critical patterns. Wild birds played the central role in dispersing the 2021-2023 H5N1 epizootic, according to recent ecological studies. Cattle movement between herds enabled novel 2024 dairy transmission in the United States. The Pan American Health Organization urges reinforced surveillance in higher-risk populations including poultry farmers, veterinarians, and farm workers.

Variant evolution presents ongoing concerns. Clade 2.3.4.4b genetic diversification with other clades has expanded the virus's ability to infect broader mammalian species. The first documented human H5N5 infection in the United States and emergence of H5N2 and H5N3 variants underscore the accelerating diversity of zoonotic transmission pathways.

Travel advisories focus on Cambodia as a particular concern zone. The World Health Organization maintains that global public health risk remains low overall, though occupational risk for exposed persons ranges from low to moderate depending on biosecurity measures and local epidemiological conditions.

Summary data indicates that since 2003, the World Health Organization has received 991 human H5N1 case reports with a 48 percent case-fatality rate across 25 countries. The trajectory remains concerning but manageable through sustained surveillance and intervention protocols.

Thank you for tuning in to Avian Flu Watch. Join us next week for updated tracking data and emerging epidemiological developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more information, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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