The US hasn’t seen a human bird flu case in 3 months

Introduction to the Bird Flu Situation

Health officials are making a renewed call for vigilance against bird flu, but some experts are puzzling over why reports of new human cases have stopped. The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, and other animals around the world for several years and became a problem in people and cows in the U.S. starting early last year. In the last 14 months, infections have been reported in 70 people in the U.S. — most of them workers on dairy and poultry farms. One person died, but most of the infected people had mild illnesses.

The Current State of Bird Flu in the US

The most recent infections confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were in early February in Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming. California had been a hotspot, with three-quarters of the nation’s infections in dairy cattle. However, testing and cases among people have fallen off. At least 50 people were tested each month in late 2024, but just three people were tested in March, one in April, and none in May so far, state records show. Overall, the state has confirmed H5N1 infections in 38 people, none after Jan. 14.

The Possible Natural Reason Bird Flu Cases are Down

During a call with U.S. doctors this month, one CDC official noted that there is a seasonality to bird flu: Cases peak in the fall and early winter, possibly due to the migration patterns of wild birds that are primary spreaders of the virus. That could mean the U.S. is experiencing a natural — maybe temporary — decline in cases. It’s unlikely that a severe human infection, requiring hospitalization, would go unnoticed, said Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases. What’s more, a patchwork system that monitors viruses in sewage and wastewater has suggested limited activity recently.

Are Government Cuts Affecting Bird Flu Monitoring?

Dr. Gregory Gray said he wasn’t concerned about the CDC not identifying new cases in months. “I don’t think that anybody’s hiding anything,” said Gray, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. But Osterholm and some other experts think it’s likely that at least some milder infections are going undetected. And they worry that the effort to find them has been eroding. Resignations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine could slow the government’s bird flu monitoring, said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

CDC Says the Risk to the General Public Remains Low

The CDC characterizes the risk to the general public as low, although it is higher for people who work with cattle and poultry or who are in contact with wild birds. Earlier this month, an agency assessment said there is a “moderate risk” that currently circulating strains of bird flu could cause a future pandemic, but the CDC stressed that other emerging forms of bird flu have been similarly labeled in the past. Still, research is continuing. Texas A&M University scientists have collected blood samples from dairy workers in multiple states to test for signs of past H5N1 exposure, said David Douphrate, a workplace health and safety expert leading the project.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the US hasn’t seen a human bird flu case in 3 months, health officials and experts remain vigilant, considering various factors that could contribute to the decline in reported cases, including natural seasonality, government cuts affecting monitoring, and the potential for undetected cases among farmworkers. Continued research and surveillance are crucial to understanding and preparing for the potential risks of bird flu.

FAQs

• Q: What is bird flu, and how does it spread?
  A: Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a disease that naturally spreads among wild aquatic birds worldwide, as well as domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. It can spread through contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces, and possibly through the air when infected birds cough or sneeze.
• Q: Who is at risk of getting bird flu?
  A: People who work with cattle and poultry or are in contact with wild birds are at a higher risk. However, the general public’s risk is considered low by the CDC.
• Q: What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
  A: Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications.
• Q: Is there a vaccine or treatment for bird flu?
  A: There are vaccines available for certain strains of bird flu, but they are primarily used in high-risk groups such as poultry workers. Treatment usually involves antiviral medications and supportive care.
• Q: How can I protect myself from bird flu?
  A: Avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings, practice good hygiene, and avoid touching your face, especially after being outdoors or around birds. If you work with poultry or cattle, follow all recommended safety protocols.