H5N1 Bird Flu Remains Stable: No New Human Cases Reported Globally as CDC Maintains Low Risk Assessment

This is Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Today is Saturday, July 26, 2025. Top stories First, Cambodia has reported no new human H5N1 cases in the last 24 hours, maintaining the total for 2025 at eleven cases to date, according to the World Health Organization’s latest updates. This follows a surge in June when seven cases were reported, causing close monitoring globally after a previous lull in human infections. Second, in the United States, the CDC notes the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain continues to impact livestock and wildlife, with ongoing sporadic human cases mainly in persons with direct exposure to infected poultry or dairy cattle. However, no new human infections have been reported nationally since last week, and case numbers are unchanged since yesterday. Monitoring of U.S. dairy workers and poultry industry employees continues, and recent CDC analysis still assesses the overall public health risk as low. Third, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has highlighted that the latest H5N1 strain remains present on U.S. farms, especially in California. Their latest advisory, updated this week, underscores the importance of biosecurity, immediate reporting of animal illness, and special precautions for veterinarians and farm workers. Changes in Case Numbers Globally, no additional H5N1 human infections were officially reported to the WHO or CDC in the past 24 hours. The cumulative worldwide total remains at 986 confirmed human H5N1 cases since 2003. In the U.S., human H5N1 case counts are steady, with no increase from yesterday. New Guidance The CDC reiterates its recommendation that people with potential exposure to sick or dead birds, or to infected livestock, continue to wear appropriate protective equipment and report any respiratory symptoms to health authorities immediately. USDA data on animal outbreaks will now be reported monthly, streamlining public communication. Expert Interview Today we hear from Dr. Jane Sykes, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, who spoke at this week’s virtual Grand Rounds, attended by over two thousand professionals. Dr. Sykes: “While the risk to the general U.S. population remains low, the virus’s continued spread in animals and sporadic spillover to humans is a reminder that surveillance and farm biosecurity are absolutely critical. Monitoring animal health, minimizing human-animal contact in outbreak settings, and prompt diagnosis are our best tools.” Looking Ahead Tomorrow, officials from WHO and CDC will review recent genomic surveillance data from poultry outbreaks in Southeast Asia to assess for mutation or adaptation signals. The USDA will also release a weekly summary on animal H5N1 activity nationwide, which could inform new state-level advisories. No major increase in human risk is forecast, but all veterinarians, farm workers, and those in contact with wild or domestic birds are encouraged to stay alert for guidance updates. That’s it for today’s Bird Flu Bullet This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.