H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary

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Updated May 23, 2024

H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with two cases of H5 in U.S. dairy workers.
While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5N1 activity in people.

More on CDC activities

Monitoring for H5 in People

Learn More

H5N1 Detections in USA

Dairy Cows: Ongoing multi-state outbreak
Wild Birds: Widespread
Poultry Flocks: Sporadic outbreaks
Mammals: Sporadic infections
People: 3 cases in U.S.
Person-to-person spread: None
Current public health risk: Low

Humans

Total Reported Human Cases in the United States: 3 (since 2022)
- 2 following exposure to dairy cows (reported on 4/01/2024 and 5/22/2024 | Full Report >
- 1 following exposure to poultry (reported on 4/28/2022) | Full Report >
States with Reported Case(s): 3

Wild Birds

Poultry

Dairy Cows

This webpage will be updated daily, Monday through Friday, after 4 p.m. to reflect any new data.

Cumulative data on wild birds have been collected since January 20, 2022. Cumulative data on poultry have been collected since February 8, 2022. Cumulative data on humans in the U.S. have been collected since April 28, 2022. Cumulative data on dairy cattle have been collected since March 25, 2024.

Protective Actions for People

Protective actions around wild birds
Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more.
What to do if you find a dead bird
Avoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died and call to report sick or dead birds. Learn more.
Protective actions around other animals with H5N1 bird flu
Avoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces contaminated by them. Learn more.
Protective actions if you work with potentially infected dairy cows
Avoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with cows and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. Learn more.
Consuming Milk
People should not eat or drink raw milk or products made with raw milk. Choosing pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Learn more.
Preparing food
It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. There are recommendations around products from other animals with H5N1 virus infections, including cattle and milk. Learn more.
Traveling to other countries
CDC does not currently recommend any travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by bird flu in birds, other animals or people. Learn more.
If you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sick
Learn what to do if you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sick. Learn more.
Clinician, laboratorian or public health worker
Visit CDC’s avian influenza (bird flu) information for health professional and laboratorians webpage for the latest guidance. Learn more
Get a seasonal flu vaccine
Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses, but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection. Learn more.

Spotlights

May 22. 2024 CDC Reports Second Human Case of H5 Bird Flu Tied to Dairy Cow Outbreak
May 17. 2024 CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update May 17, 2024
May 10. 2024 CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update
May 08. 2024 CDC’s Flu Surveillance Systems Can Detect Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infections
May 08. 2024 New H5N1 Bird Flu Transmission Graphics

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