H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak Persists in US and Globally, CDC Warns

Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu continues to circulate in the United States and globally, with the latest official updates showing new animal outbreaks and ongoing isolated human cases, but no significant change in its threat to the general public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of late July, there have been 24 confirmed cases of H5N1 in U.S. poultry farm workers and two additional cases among backyard flock owners since 2024. Three severe U.S. cases this past year were linked to exposure to infected poultry, resulting in one death and two hospitalizations, all associated with the D1.1 virus genotype. Additionally, three U.S. human cases—one in Missouri and two in California—remain under close review, as the source of exposure could not be confirmed, though there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission according to the CDC and a July 31 report by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science. Influenza A(H5N1) has now spread extensively across wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle in all 50 states, with the virus detected in 18 dairy cattle states, including major producers like California, according to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The USDA recently reported that the more severe D1.1 genotype has appeared in dairy cattle and is linked to the severe human cases mentioned earlier. While the bird flu often causes mild infections in exposed workers—most notably conjunctivitis—its potential for severe illness remains a concern. According to the latest CDC FluView report, H5N1 human-to-human spread has not been identified in the United States, and regular influenza activity remains low, with only 0.6% of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza nation-wide for the week ending July 19. Five pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported this season, bringing the total to 266, which is unusually high for a non-pandemic year. Internationally, bird flu remains a concern but risk to the general population is still considered low, according to a joint risk assessment by the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Organisation for Animal Health, published July 28. Cambodia reported its 13th human case this year, a reminder that H5N1 continues to cause occasional severe illness in people with close contact to infected animals. Surveys in Hawaii found widespread concern but low familiarity with best practices for bird flu prevention among backyard flock owners, emphasizing the importance of public education and clear guidance to those at risk. Thank you for tuning in—come back next week for more updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot AI. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.