Experts Warn US to Brace for Potential Pandemic as H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads Nationwide

With infections in over 1,000 dairy farms and rising human cases, health authorities urge stronger surveillance and rapid action to prevent human-to-human transmission.

April 29, 2025: Experts Sound Alarm Over H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak Spanning All 50 US States

Health experts are urging immediate action as the H5N1 bird flu virus spreads uncontrollably across dairy farms in all 50 US states. Since the outbreak began in March 2024, more than 1,000 dairy herds have been affected, resulting in over 70 human infections and at least one confirmed fatality.

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The Global Virus Network (GVN) has warned that the virus’s continued transmission among mammals heightens the risk of mutations that could enable human-to-human transmission. Experts are calling for enhanced surveillance, standardized testing, and vaccination strategies for animals and frontline farm workers.

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“Understanding the current landscape of H5N1 infections is critical for effective prevention and response,” said Dr. Sten H Vermund, Chief Medical Officer of the GVN and Dean of the USF Health College of Public Health. He stressed that the virus’s ability to infect both animals and humans, coupled with recent genetic changes, underlines the urgency for proactive containment measures.

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Despite the seriousness of the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. Nevertheless, they strongly advise precautions for those in close contact with infected animals.

The CDC reported that H5 bird flu is now widespread among wild birds globally and continues to cause outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows across the US. Several cases of infection have recently been confirmed in US dairy and poultry workers.

While the immediate public health threat is deemed low, CDC officials are closely monitoring the situation, deploying surveillance systems to detect any signs of H5 bird flu activity in humans.

Experts emphasize that early detection, containment strategies, and a preparedness plan are vital to prevent the current outbreak from escalating into a larger public health emergency.

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H5N1 virus, bird flu outbreak, US pandemic alert, CDC, Global Virus Network, health surveillance, virus mutation risk, dairy farm infections, pandemic preparedness, world news