This is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. I’m your host, and today is Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Here are the latest facts you need to know about bird flu in the United States.

Let’s start with the most recent confirmed H5N1 cases among both humans and animals. According to the CDC, the national total now stands at 70 confirmed and probable human H5N1 cases since 2024, with one reported fatality in Louisiana. Most human cases have occurred in individuals with direct exposure to infected commercial dairy herds or poultry operations, especially in California, which leads with 38 cases. No new human cases were reported in the past week, and there is still no evidence of person-to-person transmission at this time.

In animals, the past seven days have seen new H5N1 outbreaks in poultry across Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota. In Wisconsin, a commercial farm in Jefferson County with more than half a million birds is now under quarantine, and those birds will be depopulated. Iowa has recorded its eighth poultry outbreak of the year, this one in a large commercial turkey flock. Over the last month, highly pathogenic H5N1 has been confirmed in 27 separate flocks nationwide, affecting over 3.8 million birds, with both commercial and backyard flocks hit particularly hard. Outbreaks are most common in the Midwest, but detections in backyard birds were also recently confirmed in Oregon and Montana, while North Carolina reported a new case in a small local flock.

In dairy herds, Nebraska newly reported its first case in cattle last month, joining 18 other states with confirmed livestock infections, as highlighted by the EPA and the USDA.

Turning to wild animals, the USDA has identified over 200 new detections in wild birds this week, chiefly in Midwestern states, and has also confirmed three new mammalian cases. These include a domestic cat in Los Angeles and wild rodents in North Dakota. The cat’s infection is linked to commercially sold raw pet food, prompting an expanded recall of certain raw chicken products.

Both the CDC and the USDA have reiterated their guidance this week. They state the current risk to the general public remains low. However, poultry and livestock workers should remain vigilant, implement robust biosecurity measures, and use protective gear. The CDC notes properly prepared meat and eggs remain safe to eat. Wisconsin officials urge poultry owners to keep birds indoors if possible and to separate any new flock additions for at least 30 days. The USDA stresses the importance of reporting sick or dead animals and recommends washing hands and disinfecting equipment frequently.

In terms of research, there has been growing focus on the role of raw pet food in transmitting H5N1 to domestic animals. Investigations are ongoing and the recall of affected pet food lots has been expanded again this week to further limit transmission risk.

Comparing this week to earlier in the fall, the trend remains concerningly steady for new poultry outbreaks, especially in migratory bird corridors during seasonal movement. Human infections have not increased this month, and surveillance continues, but measures in place appear to be containing risk to agricultural settings.

For listeners, the bottom line is: the risk to the general public is low, but those working with poultry or livestock should continue following official biosecurity practices. If you keep backyard birds, consider keeping them indoors during periods of high wild bird activity. Pet owners using raw foods should stay informed on recalls.

Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Come back next week for the latest facts. This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out Quiet Please dot AI.

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