H5N1 Bird Flu Alert: Stay Informed and Safe with Essential Prevention Tips and Symptoms Guide for Americans

Good afternoon. This is the H5N1 Bird Flu Briefing: Public Health Alert. My name is Dr. Karen Fielding, speaking on behalf of your state health department. The goal of this briefing is to provide clear, factual information on the current H5N1 bird flu situation and guidance to protect yourself, your family, and our community. As of today, November 10th, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates the public health risk for H5N1 bird flu in the United States as low. There are seventy confirmed cases of H5N1 infection in humans nationwide since 2024, mostly among workers in poultry and dairy farm settings. Importantly, the CDC and Johns Hopkins report no evidence of person-to-person transmission in the United States at this time. Most infections remain associated with close contact with infected animals, especially poultry and dairy cattle. Knowing the symptoms to watch for is critical. Common symptoms include eye redness or conjunctivitis, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, or fever. Some may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea. Most H5N1 cases in the U.S. have been mild, but severe symptoms can occur and may include difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, persistent high fever, or signs of pneumonia. If you experience severe symptoms or have underlying health conditions and have had recent exposure to poultry, dairy cattle, or their environments within the last fourteen days, seek medical attention immediately. Mild symptoms, such as eye irritation or sore throat, may be monitored at home, but contact your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or if you are at increased risk. For those who work with poultry, dairy cattle, or in other high-risk environments: Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after animal contact. Do not touch sick or dead birds or animals with bare hands. Report unusual animal illness or die-offs to your agricultural extension office. Workplaces should follow USDA and CDC outbreak containment guidelines, including animal biosecurity protocols and vaccination where available. For the general public, please follow these guidelines in order of priority: First, avoid direct contact with wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle, especially if they appear sick or dead. Second, do not consume raw or unpasteurized milk, and cook poultry, eggs, and beef thoroughly. Third, ensure your household pets, especially cats, do not have access to sick or dead animals. Fourth, practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your face after being in environments where exposure to birds or cattle is possible. Lastly, get your regular seasonal flu vaccine. While it does not protect against H5N1, it helps prevent co-infections and reduces healthcare burden. For further information and up-to-date guidance, visit the CDC’s Bird Flu website, your local or state health department online This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.