H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary
Updated May 17, 2024
- H5N1 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with one recent human case in a U.S. dairy worker.
- While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
- CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5N1 activity in people.
H5N1 Detections in USA
- Dairy cattle: Ongoing multi-state outbreak
- Wild Birds: Widespread
- Poultry Flocks: Sporadic outbreaks
- Mammals: Sporadic infections
- People: 2 cases in U.S.
- Person-to-person spread: None
- Current public health risk: Low
Humans
- Total Reported Human Cases in the United States: 2 (since 2022)
- 1 following exposure to dairy cows (reported on 4/01/2024) | Full Report >
- 1 following exposure to poultry (reported on 4/28/2022) | Full Report >
- States with Reported Case(s): 2
States with Outbreaks in Cattle
9
as of 4/26/2024 | Full Report >
Dairy Herds Affected
36
as of 4/30/2024 | Full Report >
This webpage will be updated daily, Monday through Friday, after 4 p.m. to reflect any new data.
Cumulative data on wild birds have been collected since January 20, 2022. Cumulative data on poultry have been collected since February 8, 2022. Cumulative data on humans in the U.S. have been collected since April 28, 2022. Cumulative data on dairy cattle have been collected since March 25, 2024.
Protective Actions for People
- Protective actions around wild birdsAvoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more.
- What to do if you find a dead birdAvoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died and call to report sick or dead birds. Learn more.
- Protective actions around other animals with H5N1 bird fluAvoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces contaminated by them. Learn more.
- Protective actions if you work with potentially infected dairy cattleAvoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with cattle and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus.
- Preparing foodIt is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. There are recommendations around products from other animals with H5N1 virus infections, including cattle and milk. Learn more.
- Traveling to other countriesCDC does not currently recommend any travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by bird flu in birds, other animals or people. Learn more.
- If you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sickLearn what to do if you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sick. Learn more.
- Clinician, laboratorian or public health workerVisit CDC’s avian influenza (bird flu) information for health professional and laboratorians webpage for the latest guidance. Learn more
- Get a seasonal flu vaccineSeasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses, but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection. Learn more.
Spotlights
- May 17. 2024 CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update May 17, 2024
- May 10. 2024 CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update
- May 08. 2024 CDC’s Flu Surveillance Systems Can Detect Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infections
- May 08. 2024 New H5N1 Bird Flu Transmission Graphics
- May 03. 2024 CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update
Related Links
- Transmission of Avian Influenza A Viruses Between Animals and People
- Current H5N1 Bird Flu Situation in Cattle
- H5N1 Bird Flu Technical Reports
- Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline – 2020-2024
- Avian Influenza Communication Resources
- Avian Influenza: Information for Health Professionals and Laboratorians
- USDA: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- USDA: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- USDA: Defend the Flock Program
- USDA: Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North America