This is Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update for Saturday, November 1st, 2025. I’m your host, and here are today’s top stories.
Top stories
First, Germany’s bird flu crisis intensified as local media reported that the highly contagious H5N1 variant has now been confirmed on at least 248 wild bird carcasses, and outbreaks continue to spread rapidly on commercial poultry farms. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has classified the risk of spread as high following a recent mass cull of over 500,000 birds last month, and the German government is ramping up surveillance and farmer support.
Second, the US is seeing a continued high pace of H5N1 detections in wild birds, with the Department of Agriculture tracking dozens of new cases across states including Minnesota, Indiana, and Oregon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site now records 70 confirmed human H5N1 cases nationwide, up two from yesterday, with most linked to contact with infected dairy herds and poultry operations. The CDC continues to stress that no sustained human-to-human transmission has been detected, but surveillance is being heightened. California remains the most affected state, now with 38 human cases, primarily among dairy workers.
Third, Austria’s agriculture ministry has declared the entire country a high-risk zone for avian influenza, effective from November 3rd, after new H5N1 cases were confirmed in wild birds. The announcement mandates strict farm biosecurity and a ban on poultry movement in affected zones. Neighboring countries are stepping up checks as well.
Changes in case numbers
Globally, most newly reported human H5N1 cases today come from occupational exposure in the US, with the cumulative total in the Americas reaching 76, including two deaths since 2021, according to the Pan American Health Organization. The latest CDC data show that human cases in the US have now increased by two since last report, both involving dairy herd exposure in California.
New guidance from health authorities
Today, the US Department of Agriculture reaffirmed its mandatory raw milk testing program after inspections showed persistent viral traces in milk from infected herds. The CDC issued updated safety reminders urging farm workers to use full personal protective equipment when handling potentially infected animals or raw milk, and advised the public to avoid raw dairy products.
Expert interview
For some context, here’s a brief snippet from Dr. Carol Cardona, professor of avian health at the University of Minnesota:
“H5N1’s spread in poultry and now in dairy herds remains unprecedented in its speed. While human risk remains low outside of direct animal exposure, the ability of this virus to transmit and reassort means we have to keep surveillance and biosecurity as top priorities.”
Looking ahead
Tomorrow, European food safety agencies are expected to release new risk guidance on poultry trade, and the US CDC will hold a technical briefing to update on H5N1 surveillance and ongoing research into asymptomatic cases. Market analysts are forecasting that pressures on egg and poultry meat supplies could affect pricing ahead of Thanksgiving in North America.
That’s all for today’s Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more breaking news and authoritative updates on the global bird flu situation. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.
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