Bird Flu | LocalHealthGuide

Picture of a white chicken against a white background

November 25, 2025 Infectious Disease / Influenza/Flu

First human bird-flu death from H5N5 – what you need to know

The patient kept a flock of backyard poultry that were exposed to wild birds, which suggests how they might have caught the virus.

The H5N1 strain of influenza A generally infects birds but has infected people, too. NIAID and CDC/flickr

How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains

The viruses that cause seasonal flu and bird flu are distinct but still closely related. Understanding their similarities and differences can help people protect themselves and their loved ones.

April 1, 2025 Infectious Disease / Influenza/Flu

Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution

Disease forecasts are like weather forecasts: We cannot predict the finer details of a particular outbreak or a particular storm, but we can often identify when these threats are emerging and prepare accordingly.

March 13, 2025 Child Health / Influenza/Flu / Vaccines

Less than half of parents think they have accurate information about bird flu

National Poll: 2 in 5 parents wish the government was doing more to prevent a bird flu outbreak; 1 in 3 have taken action to protect their family against it

February 10, 2025 Animal Health / Infectious Disease / Influenza/Flu / Public Health

House Cats With Bird Flu Could Pose a Risk to Public Health

More than 80 domestic cats, among many other types of mammals, have been confirmed to have had bird flu since 2022 — generally barn cats that lived on dairy farms, as well as feral cats and pets that spend time outdoors and likely caught it by hunting diseased rodents or wild birds.

November 6, 2024 Infectious Disease / Influenza/Flu / Vaccines

Bird flu detected in pigs – here’s why virologists are concerned

We don’t yet know if the pig was actually infected or if it had just snuffled up some contaminated material from the birds. At the moment, this particular outbreak doesn’t seem to have spread into any other pigs.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (yellow). Microscopy by CDC; repositioned and recolored by NIAID. Credit: CDC and NIAID.

November 5, 2024 Animal Health / Infectious Disease / Influenza/Flu

Study analyzes bird flu that infected a farm worker

An H5N1 flu virus from an infected farm worker could transmit through airborne droplets and was lethal in mice and ferrets.

The findings emphasize the risks from the current H5N1 outbreak and the need for continued monitoring and testing.

October 31, 2024 Infectious Disease / Influenza/Flu

First case of bird flu in pig discovered on small Oregon farm

State officials announced Wednesday that a severe form of bird flu has been detected for the first time in a pig on a small farm in Crook County in central Oregon.