Bird Flu Tracker Avian Influenza A H5N1

Bird Flu Crisis Deepens Across United States

Pennsylvania remains the epicenter of a nationwide avian influenza surge, with Governor Josh Shapiro declaring the state in crisis mode this week. According to reporting from City and State PA, more than 7.6 million birds have been affected in Pennsylvania so far, accounting for roughly half of all cases seen across the United States in 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 42 commercial flocks have been infected nationwide, with more than 10 million affected birds across January and February. Pennsylvania alone has seen 26 flocks infected, with Lancaster County hit particularly hard. That county, one of the most densely populated poultry areas in the nation, has seen more than 7.3 million birds affected by the surge over the last two months, according to USDA data cited by City and State PA.

Governor Shapiro met with state lawmakers and agricultural industry leaders on Tuesday to outline Pennsylvania's response efforts. The administration has authorized the hiring of 11 additional people to support bird flu response efforts, and the state has deployed six additional employees to assist containment operations. Shapiro said he has been in regular contact with the Trump administration and requested that federal staff remain in Pennsylvania to assist with the response for as long as possible.

According to CIDRAP reporting, the largest outbreaks are occurring at commercial egg-layer sites, with one Lancaster County location experiencing 2.6 million bird infections and another 1.4 million. Almost 30,000 commercial turkey birds and 179,000 commercial broiler birds have also been affected.

Regarding consumer impact, egg industry leaders quoted by City and State PA said they do not anticipate short-term price spikes as long as the outbreak remains contained to Pennsylvania. The U.S. egg industry reportedly has sufficient supply for current market demands.

In other developments, researchers at UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis announced the first confirmed avian flu outbreak among marine mammals in California. According to reporting from KSAT, seven elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park have tested positive for the virus, with several more showing signs of illness. Officials have canceled the park's popular seal-watching tours for the remainder of the breeding season as a precaution. The virus is considered low risk to humans.

Regarding vaccines, Governor Shapiro noted that poultry vaccines for the virus are unlikely to be available in the near term, describing vaccine deployment as a long game requiring months of federal coordination.

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Avian flu outbreaks are intensifying in US poultry operations, with Pennsylvania emerging as the epicenter, affecting over 7 million birds in 11 commercial flocks since early February, according to USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports. Farm Progress notes this surge threatens to reverse recent declines in egg prices, while CIDRAP details massive losses in Lancaster County, including 2.6 million egg-layer birds at one site and nearly 30,000 turkeys at others, part of 8.97 million birds nationwide impacted in the past 30 days.

Human cases remain low risk, with the CDC reporting 71 confirmed or probable A(H5N1) infections since 2024, mostly among dairy and poultry workers in California (38 cases) and Washington (12 cases). No new cases or person-to-person spread detected in the latest FluView report ending February 14, though Louisiana recorded the first US bird flu death. CDC surveillance of over 22,600 exposed individuals has identified 64 cases.

In research news today, University of Missouri's KBIA reports Dr. Wenjun Ma secured a $1.9 million USDA grant to develop vaccines distinguishing infected from vaccinated chickens, aiming to curb outbreaks, protect trade, and limit human spillover risks.

Elsewhere, wild bird cases are rising in New Jersey per Duke Farms and NJDEP monitoring, while San Juan County, Washington, confirmed avian flu in two red foxes on February 20, with no human links.

Globally, A(H5) remains widespread in wild birds, hitting US dairy cows too, but public health officials stress vigilance without alarm.

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Bird flu outbreaks continue to challenge US poultry operations, with Pennsylvania hit hardest in recent weeks. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed multiple H5N1 detections this week in Lancaster County egg-layer and turkey facilities, affecting over 7 million birds across 11 commercial flocks and nine backyard flocks since early February, according to Farm Progress and CIDRAP reports. One site alone lost 2.6 million egg-layers, marking an unprecedented surge in the state.

Nationally, since the outbreak began, HPAI has impacted 190 million birds in 2,072 flocks across 50 states, per Washington State Department of Agriculture's February 17 update. In the last 30 days, 51 flocks were confirmed positive, including 23 commercial and 28 backyard, with 8.97 million birds affected. Washington's latest domestic case was February 2 in Yakima County backyard flocks, while wild bird detections persist through mid-February.

Human cases remain low risk, CDC reports on February 18. Since 2024, 71 US cases have been confirmed, mostly among dairy and poultry workers, with 41 linked to cattle herds—38 in California—and two deaths, including Louisiana's first. No person-to-person spread detected. Washington state tallies 12 cases, all tied to poultry.

Fresh developments emerged yesterday: San Juan County, Washington, announced two red foxes on San Juan Island tested positive for avian influenza on February 20, with no human links confirmed yet.

No new livestock cases nationwide in the past 30 days, and CDC surveillance shows steady monitoring of animal exposures.

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Bird Flu Update: US Poultry Hits Hard as Cases Surge in East Coast States

In the latest developments on highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, Maryland confirmed a presumptive positive H5 case on a commercial broiler farm in Wicomico County on February 14, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This marks the second outbreak in the state this year, with affected birds quarantined and depopulated to curb spread. Officials stress the low risk to the public but urge strict biosecurity like disinfecting equipment and limiting farm visitors.

Pennsylvania is ramping up its response amid a spike, with Governor Josh Shapiro announcing extra personnel, expanded testing at PADLS labs—which processed 8,000 tests on 80,000 birds in recent weeks—and USDA support. Since 2022, the state has lost over 14.3 million birds, half this year alone, Shapiro's office reports. Producers are advised to monitor flocks and report illnesses immediately.

New Jersey faces growing concerns after over 1,100 dead or sick wild birds, mostly Canadian geese, reported February 14-16, per the Department of Environmental Protection. Thousands of geese deaths prompted park closures in Gloucester and Monmouth counties, with confirmations across eight counties since August 2025, WHYY News reports. No human cases confirmed, but officials warn against touching dead birds.

Nationally, CDC's Week 5 flu report through February 7 shows no new H5 human infections, with overall influenza positivity at 18.6% and rising hospitalizations at 67 per 100,000—second highest since 2010-11. Poultry remains safe if cooked properly.

In California, experts note the virus lingers in cooler weather, driving waterfowl near backyard flocks, UCANR warns on February 17.

Health officials worldwide emphasize vigilance as wild bird migration fuels outbreaks.

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Bird flu cases are surging across the US and globally, with over 4.8 million birds affected in January and early February alone, according to USDA data reported by Sentient Media. In the past week, major outbreaks hit a Colorado facility with 1.3 million birds culled, a Pennsylvania farm losing 1.5 million, and a presumptive positive H5 case confirmed on a commercial broiler farm in Maryland's Wicomico County on February 14, as announced by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Arkansas agencies warned on February 16 via KATV that the public should avoid wild birds after statewide detections in wild birds and backyard flocks, citing low but serious human risk with flu-like symptoms. Experts like Colorado State Veterinarian Maggie Baldwin emphasize enhanced biosecurity, though experts such as UC Davis's Maurice Pitesky call for better outward-facing surveillance of wild waterfowl habitats.

Internationally, Cambodia reported its first H5N1 human case of 2026 on February 14, Xinhua stated—a 30-year-old man from Kampot province who recovered after exposure to dead chickens at home. China's Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection noted three new human cases on February 11 per CIDRAP: two H9N2 and one H10N3, with symptom onsets in late December and January. H5N1 also caused Antarctica's first confirmed wildlife die-off, killing over 50 skuas, as detailed in a ScienceDaily release.

No new US human cases emerged in the last 24 hours, and CDC's latest flu report shows seasonal influenza dominating, not avian strains. Poultry culling continues amid calls for vaccines, stalled by trade and mutation fears.

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