H5N1 Bird Flu in U.S. Expands with New Variant Detected in Dairy Cows

The outbreak has spread to 17 states, affecting livestock and humans, with 70 infections and one death reported as experts warn of underreported cases and pandemic risks.

The H5N1 bird flu outbreak, first detected in U.S. dairy cows in March 2024, has now spread across 17 states, impacting wild birds, poultry, and cattle.
Over 170 million poultry have been culled, and nearly 1,000 cattle herds have been affected, causing significant economic disruptions including egg shortages and price hikes.
Seventy human infections have been reported, with the first U.S. death occurring in Louisiana earlier this year; human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed.
A new virus variant, D1.1, has been identified in cow milk in Nevada, raising concerns about mutations and containment challenges.
Experts criticize insufficient monitoring and lack of a unified response, warning of the potential for the outbreak to escalate into a pandemic.