H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads Through US Poultry Farms and Wild Animals in 2026

Bird Flu Update: US Poultry Hits Hard as Wild Cases Emerge

In the latest developments on highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu, Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported on March 12 the first detection in a Kent County commercial poultry flock since 2022. State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland urged bird owners to protect flocks from migrating wild birds carrying the virus, emphasizing biosecurity like enclosing outdoor areas and disinfecting gear. The CDC maintains public health risk remains low, with proper cooking of poultry and eggs key to prevention.

Indiana saw eight outbreaks last week in Elkhart, Lagrange, and Jay counties, per USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports cited by CIDRAP, including a major hit to 20,600 turkeys in Jay County. Wisconsin reported two large egg-layer farm losses exceeding 3 million birds in Jefferson and Walworth counties. Over the past 30 days, APHIS confirmed 77 US outbreaks affecting 13.98 million birds across 41 commercial and 36 backyard flocks.

On the wild front, UC Davis researchers updated March 13 that California's H5N1 outbreak in elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Park has spread to a sea otter and sea lion along the San Mateo coast. The Eurasian strain, with mammal-transmission mutations, killed 47 seals so far, mostly pups, but experts like Christine Johnson express cautious optimism as adult females have mostly departed. Testing continues amid slowed wild bird detections nationwide.

Pennsylvania tallies over 7 million bird deaths in 2026 from farm and wildlife outbreaks, per South Philly Review. Globally, the virus persists in wild populations, but US human cases stay rare at 71 since 2024, with two deaths.

Authorities stress vigilance: report sick birds immediately and follow prevention steps.

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