Bird Flu Alert: H5N1 Spreads Across US Dairy Herds, CDC Warns of Rising Human Infection Risk

Bird Flu SOS: Urgent H5N1 News & Safety

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Host: Welcome to Bird Flu SOS: Urgent H5N1 News and Safety. Im your host, and today we have a critical update. As of February 2026, the CDC reports 71 confirmed human H5N1 cases in the US since 2024, with California leading at 38 cases mostly from dairy herds, and Louisianas first US bird flu death highlighting the rising threat. The virus, widespread in wild birds, poultry, and over 1,000 US dairy herds per federal data, surged undetected early on, with 36% of retail milk samples positive in spring 2024 across 13 states, according to Emerging Infectious Diseases from Ohio State researchers.

This is serious. Dr. Terry Hensley from Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory warns, HPAI H5N1 has nearly 100% mortality in chickens, spreading fast via wild waterfowl migration, with Texas confirming six cases since November 2025. Morgan Farnell, Ph.D., adds, Risks will never be zero, but biosecurity is key. CDC assesses public health risk as low but is monitoring closely, with 22,600 people tested post-exposure and 64 cases from targeted surveillance.

If youre in affected areas like California, Colorado, Washington, or dairy states, take immediate action: Avoid contact with sick birds, cattle, or wild waterfowl. Poultry owners, isolate flocks, use dedicated shoes and tools, and block access to ponds or wild bird areas, as USDA APHIS urges strong biosecurity amid fall-spring peaks. Dairy workers, follow federal testing mandates from April and December 2024 that boosted detection.

Warning signs demanding emergency response: In birds, sudden deaths, lethargy, ruffled feathers, or respiratory distress report to state animal health officials like Texas Animal Health Commission immediately. For humans, fever, cough, sore throat, eye redness, or breathing trouble after animal exposure seek medical care at once and inform providers of exposure.

Resources: Call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit cdc.gov/bird-flu. Poultry suspicions? Contact USDA APHIS or local extension agents. Test via labs like Texas A&M TVMDL.

Stay vigilant, not panicked commercial poultry and pasteurized dairy remain safe per USDA.

Thanks for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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