After a calm summer, bird flu has returned, and it’s spreading fast. As migratory birds like ducks, geese, and cranes begin their seasonal journeys, cases of the H5N1 virus are rising earlier than usual, causing concern among U.S. state officials.
During the summer, outbreaks had slowed, egg prices dropped slightly, and farms saw fewer culls. But that brief relief is over. In recent weeks, more than 4 million poultry birds across states such as Minnesota and Iowa have been culled after testing positive for the virus. The surge coincides with increased infections detected among wild birds in northern regions.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig confirmed the state’s first new case on a turkey farm in Calhoun County, noting that officials are now preparing for a potentially severe autumn season. “The question is how extensive it will be and what kind of fall we’ll have,” he said.
Experts say environmental factors may be worsening the spread. Shrinking wetlands caused by drought are forcing birds to gather in fewer spaces, which increases the likelihood of transmission. “It’s a perfect combination for disease to pop up,” said Michael Ward, a professor at the University of Illinois.
To address the issue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is implementing a $100 million plan that includes research on biosecurity improvements and vaccine development for poultry. While France and some other countries have started vaccinating flocks, the USDA is still assessing the potential impact of such a move on U.S. exports.
Human risk remains low, but health experts continue to urge caution. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California, San Francisco, advised people to get their flu shots, avoid unpasteurized dairy products, and keep pets indoors during bird migration seasons to reduce exposure.
Some scientists worry that a person infected with both seasonal flu and H5N1 could enable the virus to adapt for human transmission. Despite this, U.S. coordination efforts have slowed, including the suspension of CDC briefings and the cancellation of Moderna’s mRNA-based bird flu vaccine funding by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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Source: Evan Bush, NBC News
