H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads to 70 Human Cases Across 17 States with Ongoing Dairy Herd Outbreaks

Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update Friday, September 26, 2025 Good afternoon, and welcome to the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. It’s Friday, September 26, 2025. I’m your host, and here are today’s top stories. Top Stories First, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the national total of confirmed and probable human H5N1 cases has risen to 70, a slight increase from 69 cases yesterday. This includes 41 cases tied to dairy herds, 24 linked to poultry farms, and 5 from other or unknown sources. California remains the hardest-hit state with 38 confirmed cases, and dairy herd outbreaks continue to rise nationwide according to CDC data. Second, animal health officials report that nearly 1,000 dairy cattle herds in 17 states have now confirmed infections. The USDA states the virus continues spreading among cattle, particularly in central and western states. Although the pace of new herd infections has slightly slowed since last week, this ongoing animal outbreak remains a primary concern for agricultural and public health officials. Third, according to a summary published by the CDC earlier today, no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been detected in the latest cluster of human cases. Every new infection reported in the past 24 hours has been linked to direct contact with infected animals, especially dairy cows or poultry. The CDC continues to emphasize that the risk to the general public is low; however, workers on affected farms remain at moderate risk. Case Numbers Update Compared to yesterday, the total number of human cases has increased by one, with local health departments confirming the new case in Washington State. The USDA’s latest bulletin notes a marginal rise in animal outbreaks, but wild bird detections have remained steady over the past day. There were no newly reported fatalities among humans in the past 24 hours, following the first U.S. death from H5N1 in Louisiana last week. Guidance and Official Statements The CDC has reiterated its advice for farm workers and anyone in contact with potentially sick birds or cattle: wear protective gear, follow rigorous hygiene, and report any respiratory symptoms promptly. The USDA continues its raw milk testing program and reminds dairy operators to ensure compliance with federal reporting mandates. Both agencies urge vigilance and timely reporting of suspected cases among livestock and humans. Expert Interview For insight on today’s developments, we turn to Dr. Mila Torres, epidemiologist at Emory University: Dr. Torres: “The continuing spread in dairy cattle herds signals that biosecurity must remain a top priority. Fortunately, we still see only sporadic human cases, all linked to direct animal contact. For the public, simple precautions are effective, but for farm workers, upgraded protections are essential. We’re closely watching for any sign the virus may adapt to easier human transmission, but at this time, that risk remains low.” Look This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.