H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary
Updated April 18, 2024
- H5N1 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with one recent human case in a U.S. dairy worker.
- While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
- CDC also is studying the virus from the recent human case and has found it is susceptible to flu antiviral drugs. CDC has already made a candidate vaccine virus (CVV) that could be used to make a vaccine if needed.
H5N1 Detections in USA
- Dairy cattle: Ongoing multi-state outbreak
- Wild Birds: Widespread
- Poultry Flocks: Sporadic outbreaks
- Mammals: Sporadic infections
- People: 2 cases in U.S.
- Person-to-person spread: None
- Current public health risk: Low
Dairy Cattle
This webpage will be updated weekly on Wednesdays to reflect any new data. Cumulative data on wild birds have been collected since January 20, 2022. Cumulative data on poultry have been collected since February 8, 2022. Cumulative data on humans in the U.S. have been collected since April 28, 2022.
Protective Actions for People
- Protective actions around wild birdsAvoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more.
- What to do if you find a dead birdAvoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died and call to report sick or dead birds. Learn more.
- Protective actions around other animals with H5N1 bird fluAvoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces contaminated by them. Learn more.
- Protective actions if you work with potentially infected dairy cattleAvoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with cattle and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus.
- Preparing foodIt is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. There are recommendations around products from other animals with H5N1 virus infections, including cattle and milk. Learn more.
- Traveling to other countriesCDC does not currently recommend any travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by bird flu in birds, other animals or people. Learn more.
- If you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sickLearn what to do if you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sick. Learn more.
- Clinician, laboratorian or public health workerVisit CDC’s avian influenza (bird flu) information for health professional and laboratorians webpage for the latest guidance. Learn more
- Get a seasonal flu vaccineSeasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses, but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection. Learn more.
Spotlights
- Apr 12. 2024 Vietnam Reports First Human Infection with Avian Influenza H9N2 Virus
- Apr 05. 2024 Update: Human Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Texas
- Apr 05. 2024 CDC HAN: A(H5N1) Virus: Identification of Human Infection and Recommendations for Investigations and Response
- Apr 02. 2024 Technical Update: Summary Analysis of Genetic Sequences of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses in Texas
- Mar 29. 2024 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Animals: Interim Recommendations for Prevention, Monitoring, and Public Health Investigations
Related Links
- Current H5N1 Bird Flu Situation in Cattle
- H5N1 Bird Flu Technical Reports
- Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline – 2020-2024
- Avian Influenza Communication Resources
- Avian Influenza: Information for Health Professionals and Laboratorians
- USDA: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- USDA: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- USDA: Defend the Flock Program
- USDA: Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America