A nationwide resurgence of bird flu is raising fears about America’s readiness to manage a widening outbreak, as cases surge in both commercial poultry and wild birds. Axios reports that over the past month, influenza has been detected in 62 commercial and backyard flocks across 17 states, affecting at least 6.6 million birds and prompting concerns about potential food price hikes. Scientists and public health leaders warn that the highly contagious H5N1 virus is also appearing in wildlife: Canada geese in Michigan and Illinois, a swan in Missouri, various duck species in New York, and even a black bear in Colorado, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
Georgia confirmed its fifth outbreak of bird flu this year in a commercial operation, leading to the culling of 140,000 chickens over the weekend, as reported by Healthbeat Atlanta. With 345,000 birds affected in the state since early 2022, agriculture experts stress the serious threat to the nation’s largest poultry sector. Federal and state containment efforts continue, though authorities note that the recent government shutdown has hampered coordination and may impact compensation for affected farmers.
Public health officials stress that while the main risk remains to poultry, spillover to mammals—including humans—remains a constant concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 70 human cases in the U.S. since April 2024, with one fatality. Most U.S. cases have involved direct exposure to infected animals, and the CDC emphasizes there is no sustained human-to-human transmission detected. However, global experts are urging vigilance. According to Euronews, the World Health Organization’s virologists warn that some bird flu strains “have everything it takes to trigger a pandemic.” Recent research published in Nature points to the adaptation of the H9N2 strain that may increase its risk of infecting people.
Internationally, surveillance and containment are under pressure. In Canada, Alberta Health Services has urged visitors to a petting zoo to get tested after an outbreak among farm birds. European and Asian health agencies are closely tracking both wild and domestic avian outbreaks, with concerns heightened by seasonal migration patterns.
Experts reiterate the importance of reporting symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, or conjunctivitis if exposed to birds, and urge continued monitoring of both animal and human cases as migratory bird season accelerates.
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