H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary

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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

As of 04/16/2024:

States with Outbreaks in Cattle: 8

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 birds
Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more.
What to do if you find a dead bird
Avoid 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 flu
Avoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces contaminated by them. Learn more.
Protective actions if you work with potentially infected dairy cattle
Avoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with cattle and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus.
Preparing food
It 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 countries
CDC 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 sick
Learn what to do if you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sick. Learn more.
Clinician, laboratorian or public health worker
Visit CDC’s avian influenza (bird flu) information for health professional and laboratorians webpage for the latest guidance. Learn more
Get a seasonal flu vaccine
Seasonal 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.

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