Official World Health Organization communications

U.S. Battles H5N1 Bird Flu: Human Infections, Federal Emergency Measures in Place

May 6, 2024, 09:01 AM

The United States is currently grappling with an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, which has affected multiple states and various species, including over 90 million chickens, 9,000 wild birds, and 34 dairy herds. This outbreak has also led to human infections, with cases reported from close contact with infected cattle and poultry. The spread of the virus among cattle has been confirmed in 36 herds across 9 states. This situation has prompted the federal government to implement emergency measures, including restrictions on dairy and poultry farms in Michigan effective May 8th, and increased surveillance and testing measures. The outbreak has also led to significant economic impacts, including a drop in cattle prices. Amidst this, there is a growing concern about the potential for a human pandemic, although the virus currently shows no signs of spreading among people. The WHO is worried about the increasing cases in mammals, and the White House has shown active engagement in addressing the concerns.