H5N1 Bird Flu Cases Steady at 70 in US, Global Outbreaks Rise as Experts Maintain Low Human Transmission Risk

This is Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update for Friday, September 19, 2025. I'm your host, and here are today’s top stories. Top Stories First, significant developments in the United States: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the national total of confirmed and probable human H5N1 cases stands at 70, with 41 linked to dairy herds and 24 associated with poultry operations. No new human cases have been confirmed since yesterday. California remains the most affected state, with 38 cases, mostly from dairy cattle exposure. The overall animal outbreak count in the U.S. continues to rise, with high pathogenic H5N1 reported in multiple wild bird and mammalian species. Second, on the global front, the Food and Agriculture Organization notes 249 new high pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks have been reported worldwide across five regions in the past month, including 139 of H5N1. New animal outbreaks were detected in Belgium, Spain, and Argentina, as well as continued detection in major poultry producing countries such as the UK and China. Two new human cases have been officially reported worldwide in the latest update, reflecting ongoing but sporadic zoonotic spillover events. Third, scientists emphasize there is still no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. According to the joint FAO, WHO, and WOAH assessment, nearly all human H5N1 cases since 2022 involved direct or indirect animal contact, mainly with infected poultry or dairy livestock. Transmission remains rare in the general public, and the virus has not adapted to efficient spread between people. Case Numbers U.S. case numbers hold steady today at 70 total confirmed and probable human infections. The majority are associated with exposures on commercial farms or in culling operations. Globally, two new cases have been reported since the last FAO update. No new human fatalities have been recorded in the past 24 hours. Authoritative Guidance The CDC and World Health Organization continue to urge heightened biosecurity for all who work with poultry, dairy cattle, or wild birds. Updated guidance recommends use of personal protective equipment and immediate reporting of respiratory illness for people with animal exposures. The CDC’s advisory for the general public remains unchanged: risk is low, but avoid contact with sick or dead birds and mammals. Expert Interview We turn to Dr. Alicia Mendes, virologist at the National Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases: "While animal outbreaks are concerning, human infections remain rare and sporadic. Our focus continues to be close monitoring of exposed workers and rapid containment of farm outbreaks. There is no cause for alarm in the general community at this time, but vigilance is key." Looking Ahead Tomorrow, eyes remain on both California and global hot spots, with surveillance ramping up around recent animal outbreak sites. Health agencies anticipate releasing detailed genomic updates on circulating st This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.