This is Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now, bringing you the latest on the H5N1 avian influenza situation across the United States as of October 15, 2025.

New cases in both humans and animals continue to shape the bird flu landscape. The CDC reports there have now been 70 confirmed or probable human H5N1 cases since early 2024, with no significant jump in numbers in the past week. Most of these cases are linked to direct exposure on dairy and poultry farms. California remains the state with the highest concentration, accounting for 38 cases, followed by Colorado and Washington. Louisiana reported the nation’s first H5N1 death earlier this year, but there have been no new fatalities since then.

Regarding animals, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirms H5N1 continues to circulate among commercial and backyard flocks. Just this October, a backyard flock of ducks and chickens in Wallowa County, Oregon, tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, leading to a local quarantine and culling effort by state officials. This is Wallowa County’s first confirmed case, echoing seasonal trends: Avian flu detections rise in fall and spring as wild birds migrate. In the past 30 days, several new poultry detections have been logged in Wisconsin and neighboring states. As of July, domestic livestock in 18 states, particularly dairy cattle, have also tested positive, but the USDA notes most cattle experience low mortality and often recover with care.

In mammals, Oregon health authorities earlier this year confirmed H5N1 in two household cats, traced to contaminated raw pet food. The recall on the implicated food lots remains in effect. Broader surveillance of wild mammals is ongoing, but no significant uptick in spillover has been reported this week by the USDA.

Turning to official guidance, the CDC has consolidated H5N1 updates with their routine influenza data and moved to monthly reporting for human monitoring and testing. The public health advice remains consistent: Limit contact with sick or dead wild birds and report unusual bird deaths. Poultry and dairy workers are urged to wear protective gear. The USDA continues to advise bird owners, especially those with backyard birds, to maintain strong biosecurity and limit wildlife access to their flocks. No new federal containment measures have been enacted in the past week.

Significant research remains focused on the virus’s ability to spread from animals to humans and its limited person-to-person transmission. According to the CDC and recent academic studies, there is still no evidence of sustained human-to-human spread in the US, and the current risk to the general public remains low. However, researchers are closely tracking any genetic changes in H5N1 that might affect transmissibility or severity.

Compared to previous weeks, the overall case count in both people and animals is stable, though commercial and backyard flock detections have increased with the onset of fall migration. There have been no major policy shifts, but authorities remain vigilant, and localized quarantines like the recent case in Oregon are quickly enacted.

What does this mean for you? The risk to most Americans remains very low. Poultry, meat, and eggs in stores remain safe when cooked and handled properly. For bird and livestock owners, maintain strict hygiene and biosecurity. Monitor local guidance, especially if you are in a region with ongoing cases.

That’s all for this week’s Bird Flu Update: US H5N1 News Now. Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to come back next week for the latest developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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