Welcome to Bird Flu Intel: Facts, Not Fear, on H5N1, a Quiet Please production. Today we’re filtering the headlines to give you clear, evidence-based information to combat the surge of H5N1 bird flu misinformation.

Let’s jump right into some of the most common myths circulating today.

First: H5N1 bird flu is spreading widely between people. This is false. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a July 2025 update, almost all recent human H5N1 infections globally have occurred among people with direct contact with sick or dead birds or animals. There is currently no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1. The vast majority of U.S. cases in the past year have been isolated and tied to farm or processing work, not community spread.

Second: Consuming eggs, chicken, or milk will give you H5N1. This is another myth. Animal health authorities report that pasteurized eggs and dairy products remain safe. H5N1 can be present in raw milk or undercooked poultry, but normal grocery store eggs and pasteurized milk have not been linked to any human infections, because the heat processes destroy the virus.

Third: H5N1 always causes fatal infections in humans. The real picture is more nuanced. The World Health Organization has tracked H5N1 since 2003, reporting a high but variable case fatality rate. However, most deaths occur in individuals with intense, direct contact with infected animals, especially in areas with less access to healthcare. In 2025, most U.S. cases have been mild, and there have even been asymptomatic infections among farm workers, according to CDC and U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.

Fourth: H5N1 is just a poultry problem. Not any more. Since 2023, confirmed infections have been found in a surprising range of animals, including cows, cats, and even dolphins in the U.S., according to updates from the CDC and animal health agencies. This cross-species jump is being closely studied by scientists. However, sustained transmission between mammal species is still considered rare and is the subject of ongoing scientific surveillance.

Why does misinformation about H5N1 spread so easily? Sensational headlines on social media, recycled from earlier outbreaks, blend with genuine concerns as the virus appears in new places and animals. This can trigger unnecessary fear, drive hoarding of food items, or fuel opposition to effective animal and public health measures. Inaccurate or alarmist reports have real consequences. They can undermine public trust and, most dangerously, can make people tune out credible health advice when it matters most.

So how can you sort fact from fiction? Always check if the information comes from trusted science or public health sources, like the CDC, WHO, or your national authorities. Look for details: Where did the alleged outbreak happen? Are the cases in people or animals? Was there direct contact or did it spread another way? Be skeptical of posts that lack sources or that urge panic.

The current scientific consensus is clear: H5N1 remains a serious threat for birds and some animals, with a real but low risk for the general human population. There is no particular reason for the average person to panic. Surveillance, farm biosafety, and rapid containment are ongoing.

However, uncertainties remain. Scientists are monitoring for any mutations that might make the virus more easily transmissible between humans. Researchers are also still studying exactly how H5N1 moves between species, especially in mammals.

Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Intel: Facts, Not Fear, on H5N1. Join us next week for more science, less scare. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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