H5N1 Bird Flu News: CDC Responds to Multistate Outbreaks

CDC Tracks Spread of Bird Flu in New Dashboard

Outbreaks Reported in Multiple States, Including Dairy Cows and Farmworker Infection

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the ongoing outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, which has affected poultry and dairy cows in multiple states across the United States.

On April 1, 2024, the United States notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of a laboratory-confirmed human case of H5N1 in a farmworker in Michigan. Since then, two additional human cases have been reported, including one in a dairy worker in Texas.

The CDC has released a new dashboard to track the spread of the virus, which includes updates on confirmed cases in both poultry and humans. As of May 24, 2024, 48 outbreaks have been reported in poultry in 14 states, while two outbreaks have been confirmed in commercial dairy cattle herds.

Multiple US Agencies are working to contain the outbreak and prevent its further spread. The CDC is providing guidance for poultry farmers and animal health authorities, while the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting surveillance and implementing control measures.

The public is advised to take precautions to avoid contact with infected birds and poultry products. Anyone who experiences symptoms of avian flu, such as fever, cough, and muscle aches, should seek medical attention immediately.