Bird Flu Fading in the US: Experts Optimistic as Outbreaks Decline

Bird flu, or H5N1 avian influenza, remains a subject of close observation in the US and globally as July draws to a close. In a significant shift, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on July 2 that it has officially ended its emergency response for H5N1 as a direct human health threat, citing a substantial decline in new human cases since the spring. According to the CDC and the Pediatric Pandemic Network, no new human H5N1 infections have been reported in the US since March, while a total of 70 confirmed cases spanning 14 states have been tallied since 2024, with only one death. Most of these cases occurred among dairy and poultry workers. Routine monitoring continues as the US Department of Agriculture and state agencies track outbreaks in animals, with the latest data indicating a marked decrease in new infections among cattle and poultry. The USDA reports that just one new cattle herd and three poultry flocks tested positive for H5N1 in the past month, compared with extensive outbreaks seen during the previous year. The CDC’s latest weekly update, released July 25, shows no new identification of H5 bird flu in humans across the nation. Despite lower numbers, officials and researchers remain vigilant. H5N1 continues to circulate widely among wild bird populations. As reported by All About Birds on July 24, the virus has been detected in nearly 12,700 wild US birds since 2022, with a continued but declining impact noted in recent weeks. Internationally, similar declines are being noted, but sporadic outbreaks among wild birds or livestock continue to be detected, especially in areas where monitoring may be limited. There is new evidence from a July 24 study in Science Translational Medicine, which found that prior immunity from seasonal flu may help protect against severe illness in mammals. This breakthrough came as researchers sought to understand why most US human H5N1 cases have been mild. The study’s results, highlighted by Centers for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, suggest past seasonal flu exposures could explain the lower severity observed in recent bird flu cases. For now, public health experts stress that the overall risk to the general public remains low, though commercial poultry and dairy industries continue to practice stringent monitoring and biosecurity. Scientists advise strict avoidance of raw milk, as unpasteurized products can carry the virus if derived from infected animals, though pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption. Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to check back next week for the latest updates. This has been a Quiet Please production—find more at Quiet Please Dot A I. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta