H5N1 GLOBAL SCAN: AVIAN FLU WORLDWIDE
Welcome to H5N1 Global Scan, your weekly update on avian influenza developments around the world.
The H5N1 avian influenza outbreak continues to spread across continents with alarming momentum. As of October 2025, the Pan American Health Organization reports that 19 countries in the Americas alone have documented over 5,000 outbreaks since 2022. Globally, the situation remains critical with cases reported on every continent except Australia.
In North America, the United States has confirmed 70 human cases since 2024, with exposures linked primarily to dairy cattle and poultry operations. The CDC reports that 41 cases originated from dairy herds while 24 cases were connected to poultry farms. Louisiana recorded the first U.S. death from H5N1 in January, involving a man over 65 with underlying conditions. California leads with 38 cases, followed by Washington with 11. Canada reported a severe case in a Vancouver teenager who developed novel disease progression from initial ocular symptoms to serious pneumonia.
Europe faces its own challenges. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control documented 19 human infections between June and September 2025, including three deaths across four countries. Germany reported approximately 2,000 crane deaths and 15 poultry farm outbreaks. The United Kingdom confirmed a case in a poultry farm worker and notably discovered an infected sheep displaying mastitis symptoms.
Asia continues experiencing significant impact. India reported a fatal human case in April, while Cambodia has seen multiple deaths in 2025, including a 28-year-old man, a toddler, and a 3-year-old boy, all linked to contact with infected chickens. Mexico reported its first case in April involving a 3-year-old girl who died shortly after.
South America witnessed devastating wildlife losses. The World Organization for Animal Health estimates at least 600,000 wild birds and 50,000 mammals have died since 2022. Southern elephant seal populations were particularly hard hit, with 70 percent of pups dying in the 2023 breeding season and mortality rates reaching 96 percent in surveyed areas of Argentina.
The World Health Organization reports that since 2003, over 890 sporadic human infections have been documented globally across 23 countries, with a concerning 48 percent fatality rate. The predominant strain, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, shows increased ability to infect mammals.
Agricultural impacts remain severe. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 20 million chickens were culled in late 2024, creating egg shortages. Over 2.2 million turkeys have been affected in 2025, impacting food supplies and international trade. Multiple countries have suspended poultry exports as containment measures.
Global coordination efforts involve the WHO, FAO, and WOAH working together on surveillance and response protocols. Research focuses on vaccine development and understanding viral mutations that enable mammalian transmission. National approaches vary significantly, with some countries implementing aggressive culling programs while others focus on surveillance and vaccination strategies.
The situation demands continued vigilance as the virus demonstrates remarkable adaptability across species and geographical boundaries.
Thank you for tuning in to H5N1 Global Scan. Join us next week for more updates on this evolving global health situation. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more information, visit Quiet Please dot A I.
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