The United States is presently experiencing a large outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, also referred to as bird flu. From its first sighting in January 2022, the virus has widely infected wild birds, commercial poultry, and, unusually for this strain, dairy cattle. Through February 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that more than 162 million birds have been affected across the country.
Human Infections and Health Implications.
Avian influenza mainly infects birds, but there have been cases of human infections. The United States has reported 66 confirmed human H5N1 cases since the beginning of 2024, with the majority of cases being caused by exposure while working on farms that handle poultry or dairy. Most cases have been mild, and risk to the general population is still low.
But recent events have created alarm. In February 2025, two people—one in Ohio and one in Wyoming—were hospitalized after being infected with H5N1. The patient in Wyoming is still in a hospital, while the Ohio patient was released. Both people had direct exposure to infected fowl, highlighting the zoonotic potential of the virus.
Impact on Agriculture and Economy.
The disease has badly hit the U.S. poultry business. Due to the virus, Crescent Duck Farm in Long Island, New York, slaughtered close to 100,000 ducks. Follow-up attempts to restock saw only 3,700 new chicks hatch from 15,000 cleaned eggs, demonstrating the difficulty of poultry farmers.
The egg sector has also been negatively impacted, causing shortages and increased prices. To counteract this, the U.S. has planned to import 420 million eggs from Turkey from February to July 2025. Even with these interventions, experts predict that shortages could continue if the outbreak is not contained.
Preventative Measures and Future Outlook.
To combat the spread of H5N1, stringent biosecurity measures have been implemented across affected states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a conditional vaccine for poultry; however, its widespread use is debated due to potential trade implications.
Besides, there has also been worry regarding the transmission of the virus to mammals such as stray cats that can catch the virus by feeding on infected birds. Although there is low cat-to-human risk at the moment, health experts recommend vigilance and close surveillance of possible cases.
In conclusion, the H5N1 avian influenza epidemic poses complex challenges that affect public health, agriculture, and the economy. Active surveillance, preventive measures, and global collaboration are critical to contain and alleviate the impact of the epidemic.
