Good afternoon. Today is Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Welcome to the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Thank you for joining us as we provide the latest information on the H5N1 avian influenza situation. Here are the top stories for today.

In the past 24 hours, health authorities reported significant developments in the H5N1 outbreak. First, four new human cases were confirmed in Indonesia, raising concerns about possible human-to-human transmission. The Indonesian Ministry of Health is actively investigating these cases to trace any connections and assess the risk of wider spread.

Second, in southern China, agricultural officials are culling an additional 50,000 poultry as a precautionary measure after detecting the virus in a large commercial farm in Guangdong Province. Authorities are working closely with local farmers to prevent further transmission, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity measures in poultry farms.

Third, the World Health Organization has just released a statement indicating that the mutation found in the recent H5N1 strains in Europe shows no increased transmissibility to humans compared to earlier variants. While this is somewhat reassuring, health experts continue to monitor the virus's evolution closely.

Over the last day, global case numbers of human H5N1 infections have risen slightly from 620 to 624 confirmed cases. While the increase appears modest, experts caution against complacency, stressing that vigilance and rapid response are critical to preventing larger outbreaks. There have been no additional fatalities reported since yesterday, with the death toll remaining at 256.

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised travelers heading to affected regions to avoid contact with poultry and ensure that all poultry products are thoroughly cooked. They emphasize proper hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and wearing masks in agricultural settings, as key preventive measures.

Included in today’s bulletin is a brief interview snippet with Dr. Sarah Malik, a virologist specializing in avian influenza. "While H5N1 is currently under control in most regions, the potential for outbreaks still exists, especially in areas with dense poultry populations. Vigilance and cooperation with health guidelines are crucial now more than ever to minimize risks," she says.

Looking ahead, authorities are expected to release the findings of ongoing serological surveys in affected areas tomorrow, which aim to provide insight into the asymptomatic spread of the virus among poultry workers and close contacts. Additionally, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control plans to update its strategic framework to enhance collaborative measures across member states, with an emphasis on coordinated pandemic preparedness.

That concludes today’s Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Thank you for tuning in. Stay informed and take care.