Alarming Resurgence of H5N1 Bird Flu in the U.S. - Experts Warn of Potential Threat

The United States is once again on alert as cases of H5N1 bird flu re-emerge in both livestock and humans, with the most recent detection reported just yesterday in a Texas dairy herd. According to CIDRAP, this is the first Texas case since May and brings the national total to 1,079 affected dairy herds across 17 states since early 2024. The USDA also confirmed another H5N1 outbreak in a commercial turkey flock in South Dakota, following closely on the heels of additional detections in North Dakota and Georgia.

No clear sources have been found for some of the human cases connected to recent animal outbreaks. Investigators in California, working with the CDC, are still unable to determine how a school-age child in San Francisco contracted H5N1 in December 2024, despite comprehensive testing of close contacts and potential environmental sources. The CDC’s report highlights that 37 of the country’s 66 confirmed human infections since 2024 have been tied to California, but no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission has been documented.

The CDC notes that, so far, recent U.S. human infections have resulted in mild illness only. Nationally, there have been 70 confirmed cases and just one fatality as of mid-2025, although experts at the University of Maryland urge caution. They warn that limited testing and surveillance could mean additional cases are going undetected, especially among those with flu-like symptoms and a history of animal exposure.

Globally, the bird flu situation remains dynamic. Between January and August, 30 human H5N1 cases were reported across eight countries, with Cambodia and Bangladesh experiencing the most significant numbers, according to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh. Europe has also seen a recent rise in outbreaks, as Germany and Portugal reported more than 1,100 birds culled after confirmed infections.

In the U.S., the virus continues to circulate in wild birds, poultry, and now dairy cows, making this the longest and deadliest animal disease outbreak in the nation's history, according to reporting from Sentient Media. With fall migration patterns set to begin, experts expect further bird flu activity in the coming months. The CDC, FDA, and state agencies all emphasize the need for strong surveillance and continued cross-species monitoring to guard against a broader human health threat.

Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more updates on this evolving story. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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