Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now

This is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Here are the latest developments in the ongoing avian influenza situation across the United States.

As of today, November 1, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a total of 70 confirmed human H5N1 bird flu cases in the United States since March 2024. These cases have spanned 13 states, with the majority—38 cases—occurring in California, largely among dairy farm workers. Other major states affected include Colorado and Washington. Most cases have involved individuals directly exposed to infected dairy cattle or poultry, especially during culling operations. Notably, the CDC confirms that while most patients have experienced mild symptoms like eye redness or mild respiratory issues, there have now been four hospitalizations and one death, the latter in Louisiana, marking the country’s first human fatality from H5N1. Two of the cases involved children, but most continue to affect adults involved in farm operations.

Animal outbreaks persist across several regions. The USDA has confirmed continued H5N1 activity in commercial poultry, backyard flocks, and dairy herds. In California, the Department of Food and Agriculture reports that 43 dairy farms have recently been re-quarantined after H5N1 was detected again following earlier clearance. This re-quarantine highlights the ongoing challenge of eradicating the virus, as over 738 dairies in California have been affected since 2024. On a national scale, thousands of poultry flocks and over 2.2 million turkeys have also been impacted this year. Isolated detections have also occurred in wild birds in Virginia, Oregon, Michigan, and Washington, underscoring the ongoing risk of virus spread through wild animal populations.

Official guidance and containment measures have evolved in response to these developments. The USDA continues its ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs across California and is extending surveillance efforts nationwide, particularly targeting previously affected farms. The CDC has updated its protocols for farmworker monitoring and expanded testing for exposed individuals. Both agencies emphasize that pasteurized milk and properly cooked poultry products remain safe for consumption, and that most cases remain sporadic without clear evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission.

In scientific developments this week, the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a new H5N1 virus genotype, D1.1, in Nevada dairy cattle. This new strain had previously been detected in wild birds and poultry and is being watched closely. According to the CDC and peer-reviewed reports, there are still no mutations in the circulating virus that confer resistance to antiviral medications, which is important for treatment planning.

Compared to previous weeks, the situation shows persistent but not accelerating human case reports, though reinfection patterns in livestock have increased, prompting renewed quarantines. Containment and surveillance remain ongoing priorities. While there is no sustained human-to-human spread, experts continue to express concern for possible changes if the virus further adapts in mammalian hosts.

For listeners, the takeaway is to remain alert but not alarmed. Those who work in or live near poultry or dairy operations should be vigilant, use personal protective equipment, and report any symptoms after exposure. The general public should follow food safety guidance, as the current risk to the broader population remains low.

Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. For continuing coverage and updates, be sure to listen in next week. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more from us, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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