H5N1 Bird Flu Briefing: Public Health Alert

Good afternoon. This is an official public health briefing to provide essential updates about the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu situation in the United States as of September 29, 2025. Our goal is to share critical information, support community preparedness, and ensure everyone knows how to respond if needed.

H5N1 bird flu continues to circulate broadly in wild birds and periodically causes outbreaks in poultry and livestock such as dairy herds, particularly in states like California and Florida, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state agriculture agencies. Sporadic cases in humans have been reported, almost exclusively among people with direct exposure to infected animals, such as agricultural and poultry workers. According to CDC data, most human infections in the U.S. have resulted in mild illness, but there have been isolated hospitalizations and, in rare cases, fatalities. There is currently **no sustained transmission among people**, and the **alert level for the general public remains low**. However, this alert matters because rapid changes in the virus or increased person-to-person transmission could quickly raise the public health risk. Vigilant monitoring and adherence to containment protocols remain essential.

If you or someone close to you have recently been exposed to sick or dead birds, poultry, or dairy cows—especially in an outbreak region—watch for key symptoms of H5N1. Symptoms to monitor at home include:
- Mild eye redness (conjunctivitis)
- Cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose
- Low-grade fever

Seek **immediate medical attention** if experiencing any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- High fever over 102°F
- Severe muscle pain
- GI symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting
- Signs of pneumonia or persistent chest pain
According to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, recent relevant animal exposure should always be communicated to healthcare providers.

For those working in **high-risk settings**—poultry farms, dairies, or animal health labs—strict containment protocols must be followed. This includes wearing gloves, masks, goggles, and coveralls when handling animals, avoiding direct contact with sick or dead wildlife, and performing regular hand hygiene. Workers should report all sickness in animals and people promptly to their local health authority. Disinfection procedures for clothing and equipment, as well as proper disposal of potentially contaminated materials, must be rigorously applied. Early detection, as highlighted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is critical for outbreak control.

Guidelines for the general public, prioritized:
- **Do not touch sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or livestock.**
- **Avoid consuming raw, unpasteurized milk; boil it or consume only pasteurized products.**
- **Ensure eggs, poultry, and beef are thoroughly cooked.**
- **Report clusters of sick or dead birds to local environmental or agricultural agencies.**
- **Get an annual seasonal flu shot to reduce risk of co-infection.**
- **Minimize contact between pets, especially cats, and wild birds or livestock, as cats are highly susceptible to H5N1.**
- If your pet becomes sick after possible exposure, seek veterinary care promptly.

There is currently no widely available vaccine for H5N1 for the general public, although experimental and occupational-use vaccines exist and clinical trials are ongoing.

For further information and updates, please visit the CDC Bird Flu resource page or your state health department website. In emergencies, contact your local public health office, or, in California, the Department of Food and Agriculture helpline.

Thank you for tuning in to today's H5N1 Bird Flu Public Health...