Avian Flu Hits Commercial, Backyard Poultry US, Europe

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to affect both commercial and backyard poultry across multiple U.S. states and internationally. In Georgia, HPAI was detected in a non-commercial backyard flock in Henry County, marking the state's fourth case in 2025, with officials emphasizing the low risk to the food supply and public health. North and South Dakota have reported recent outbreaks in commercial turkey farms, resulting in the culling of over 115,000 birds combined, with agricultural authorities noting these cases coincide with fall migration patterns. Internationally, Portugal and Germany have confirmed HPAI outbreaks in large commercial flocks for the first time since winter, involving the H5N1 variant, with significant depopulation measures taken. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 66 human cases of HPAI A(H5N1) in the U.S. as of early 2025, primarily linked to a dairy cow outbreak, but no human-to-human transmission has been documented, and recent human illnesses have been mild. Enhanced surveillance and rapid response remain critical to controlling spread and monitoring for potential human infections.