Bird Flu Tracker Avian Influenza A H5N1

U.S. and global health officials are closely tracking a persistent wave of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, which continues to hit poultry, wild birds, and some mammals but still poses a low risk to the general public, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the United States, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports that in the past month more than 11 million birds in 67 flocks have been affected, including at least 20 commercial poultry operations across states such as Indiana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Florida, and New York, as summarized by CIDRAP News. Those outbreaks include large egg and broiler facilities, raising concerns about ongoing economic impacts on farmers and potential pressure on egg and poultry prices.

Regionally, concern is especially high in the Northeast and Midwest. A Drexel University public health Q and A notes that Pennsylvania officials recently described the state as being “in crisis mode” and “at the epicenter” of avian influenza, with millions of birds lost, new state funds for culling and recovery, and a push for expanded testing and vaccine development. Drexel experts stress that, while human infections remain rare and usually mild, the virus’s ability to jump into dairy cows and occasionally infect farm workers underscores the need for strict farm biosecurity and avoidance of raw milk.

In New York, WXXI News reports that avian flu activity in wild birds peaked in 2025, with 293 confirmed cases in 35 species, and dozens of additional suspected events so far this year, especially among geese and other waterfowl in the Finger Lakes region. State wildlife officials are urging the public not to handle sick or dead birds and to report clusters to authorities.

Globally, the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health continue to monitor H5N1 detections in birds and marine mammals in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. WHO says human cases worldwide remain sporadic, generally linked to close contact with infected animals, and there is still no evidence of sustained person‑to‑person transmission.

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Bird Flu Update: US Cases Spike Amid Global Vigilance

In the United States, health officials reported two new human cases of H5N1 avian influenza in dairy workers from California's Central Valley on Wednesday, marking the 15th and 16th infections linked to infected cattle this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both individuals experienced mild respiratory symptoms and eye irritation but have recovered after antiviral treatment. The CDC emphasizes no human-to-human transmission has been detected, though genetic analysis from the California Department of Public Health shows the virus has adapted to mammals, raising monitoring concerns.

Over the past 24 hours, the US Department of Agriculture confirmed H5N1 in dairy herds across five additional states—Idaho, Texas, Kansas, Ohio, and New Mexico—prompting expanded pasteurization checks and farm biosecurity measures, per USDA statements. No poultry flock losses were noted domestically in this window.

Globally, the World Health Organization reported a severe human case in Cambodia's Kampot province yesterday, where a 19-year-old died from H5N1 after exposure to sick poultry, as detailed in WHO's latest epidemiological update. Vietnam's Ministry of Health announced two new backyard flock outbreaks in the south, culling over 1,000 birds. In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority flagged low-risk detections in wild birds in France and the UK but no mammal jumps.

Experts like those at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security note the US's pasteurization safeguards minimize milk supply risks, with no contaminated retail products found. Vaccination trials for livestock advance, per USDA trials reported Thursday.

Stay vigilant: Cook poultry thoroughly and report sick birds. For the latest, check CDC and WHO dashboards.

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Pennsylvania declares crisis mode as bird flu outbreaks surge, with over 7 million birds culled in the state this year alone, accounting for more than half of U.S. cases. RFD-TV reports Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted 15 commercial flock outbreaks in February, prompting expanded biosecurity hires and support from the state's unique HPAI recovery fund. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stressed on-farm measures like limiting access and close monitoring to contain the spread.

In Indiana, a fresh outbreak hit a commercial meat duck flock of 10,500 in LaGrange County, now quarantined with active 10km control and 20km surveillance zones, per the Indiana Board of Animal Health's March 1 update. The U.S. has seen HPAI on over 2,000 premises since 2022, the largest animal health emergency in history.

California confirmed its first bird flu cases in northern elephant seals today, with seven weaned pups testing positive for H5N1 at Ano Nuevo State Park, according to Inside Climate News. Researchers from UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis noted 30 deaths showing tremors and weakness; viewing areas are closed amid fears of wider spread, echoing 2023 mass die-offs in South America.

Globally, Poultrymed notes Argentina culled a commercial breeder flock near Buenos Aires on February 23, halting exports, while Israel reported a second turkey outbreak. Human risk remains low, with cooked poultry and pasteurized products safe.

Experts warn climate-driven bird migrations heighten spillover risks to mammals, including dairy cattle and cats.

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Maryland Department of Agriculture announced Thursday a presumptive positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 on a commercial broiler farm in Caroline County, marking the third such case there this year and the fourth in the state. Officials quarantined the site and depopulated birds, with USDA confirmation pending. The risk to the public remains low, per state health officials.

In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro detailed a ramped-up response to a surge infecting over 7 million birds in the past month, part of 14.6 million deaths since 2022. At a Tuesday Lancaster County press conference, Shapiro noted federal aid including 42 USDA staff and discussions on piloting vaccines, though trade issues may delay rollout. WHYY reports the states poultry industry faces tens of millions in ripple losses.

Indianas Board of Animal Health update Friday lists new quarantines in LaGrange County for a 3,827-bird commercial duck breeder and 23,730-bird egg layer, plus a small non-poultry flock in Hendricks County. Control zones span multiple counties amid nationwide wild bird spread.

California saw its first H5N1 cases in northern elephant seals, with UC Davis confirming seven weaned pups at Ano Nuevo State Park died from the virus, showing respiratory and neurological signs. Public seal tours are closed, but most of the 5,000-strong colony appears healthy as adults migrate. CIDRAP notes recent USDA confirmations of outbreaks in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Kansas, affecting millions more birds.

No new human cases reported; CDC maintains low public risk with proper biosecurity. Poultry and eggs remain safe when cooked.

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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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