U.S. H5N1 detections slow, but outbreak persists

Poultry Times reported on May 23 that U.S. detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, have eased from earlier spikes, but the outbreak that began in 2022 is still active. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says H5N1 remains present in wild birds worldwide and continues to cause outbreaks in U.S. domestic birds and dairy cattle. CDC says the virus is still widespread in wild birds and that sporadic human cases have occurred among U.S. dairy and poultry workers, while the public-health risk to the general public remains low. ### When did this U.S. outbreak start? USDA APHIS says it confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a U.S. commercial flock on February 8, 2022. The agency says it has been responding since then with state animal-health officials to identify detections and limit the virus’ effect on poultry production and trade. Congressional Research Service said in a report that the current outbreak began after confirmation in a commercial turkey operation in Indiana in February 2022. (aphis.usda.gov) That same report said HPAI had been detected again in U.S. wild birds in January 2022 before the poultry outbreak took hold. ### Why are officials still watching if detections have slowed? APHIS says detections are higher in the fall and spring because wild birds spread the virus as they migrate to seasonal habitats. (aphis.usda.gov) That seasonal pattern is one reason lower recent detection counts do not amount to an all-clear. CDC says A(H5) bird flu is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows and that it is monitoring exposed people through influenza surveillance systems. (congress.gov) The agency says the current public-health risk is low, but it continues to track animal exposures and human infections. Poultry Times said the outbreak has moved through “ebbs and flows” rather than ending. That framing matches federal guidance that keeps surveillance focused on commercial flocks, backyard birds and wild birds even during quieter stretches. (aphis.usda.gov) ### Why has Indiana come back into focus? Indiana re-emerged this year in poultry trade coverage because of turkey detections and additional flock confirmations. (cdc.gov) Poultry Times reported in February that Daviess County logged its first case since January 2024 at a commercial turkey meat farm with more than 30,000 birds affected, citing USDA data. WATTAgNet reported that USDA APHIS confirmed HPAI on February 25 in a commercial meat turkey flock in Daviess County, Indiana, with about 30,000 turkeys. (aphis.usda.gov) The report said Indiana had already recorded seven confirmed flock infections in 2026 at that point, including cases in Boone, Elkhart, Sullivan and LaGrange counties. (poultrytimes.com) An Indiana Board of Animal Health situation update dated February 14 said USDA Wildlife Services and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources were assisting with wild-bird surveillance in and near control areas. The same update said Grade A dairy farms in control areas would be tested for HPAI. ### What are federal agencies saying now? APHIS says the H5N1 strain is present in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in U.S. domestic birds and dairy cattle. (wattagnet.com) The agency says many other species are susceptible and that it is working with federal, state and industry partners on outbreak response and prevention. CDC says the latest poultry outbreaks are tracked through USDA APHIS pages and that preliminary genetic data from infected poultry have linked viruses to the same clade seen in U.S. wild birds. (in.gov) The agency’s current situation page says it continues to watch for changes in risk. ### Where would readers look for the next confirmed cases? USDA APHIS maintains a running page of confirmed HPAI detections in commercial and backyard flocks, and CDC directs readers there for the latest poultry outbreaks. (aphis.usda.gov) APHIS also keeps H5N1 guidance pages for producers, state officials and industry groups responding to new detections. (cdc.gov)