Bird Flu Persists: 71 Human Cases Reported, CDC Maintains Low Risk Amid Continued Dairy and Poultry Outbreaks

Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update

Friday, December 19, 2025.

Good evening, this is your Daily H5N1 Update. I'm your host. Public health risk remains low with no person-to-person spread detected.

Top Stories from the last 24 hours:

First, CDC reports the US total human cases steady at 71 since 2024, with no new confirmations yesterday, matching prior data through November. California's tally holds at 38 cases, mostly from dairy herds, per CDC situation summary.

Second, new HPAI outbreaks hit five states per USDA APHIS update: over 15,000 birds affected in three Indiana duck facilities, plus cases in North Dakota commercial poultry and backyard flocks in Washington, Wyoming, and West Virginia. Past 30 days saw 108 flocks impacted, 1.16 million birds.

Third, EFSA warns of very low risk of US dairy H5N1 genotype B3.13 spreading to Europe but significant potential impact if it arrives, urging heightened surveillance and biosecurity, in their December 16 opinion.

Case numbers show no change from yesterday: national human total 71, including two deaths—one recent H5N5 fatality in Washington State per WHO, the 71st since early 2024 and first since February. Dairy infections persist, with CDFA noting 766 California herds affected since detection, 630 recovered.

Health authorities: CDC maintains low risk, monitoring exposures closely via flu surveillance. EFSA stresses preparedness amid wild bird detections surging fourfold in Europe this fall.

Brief expert insight: Dr. Angela Rasmussen, virologist at University of Saskatchewan, notes, "Sporadic human cases are expected with high avian circulation, but mammal adaptations like in US cows heighten vigilance needs. No sustained human transmission yet."

Looking ahead: Expect USDA flock updates and possible Nevada D1.1 genotype monitoring expansion tomorrow. Winter migration may drive more poultry outbreaks.

Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I. Stay safe.

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