The threat of bird flu continues to escalate as more cases of the H5N1 virus are reported among both animals and humans in the United States. The virus, which has caused ongoing outbreaks in poultry flocks and wildlife, is showing signs of adapting to mammals, including humans.

In April 2022, the first reported human case of bird flu was confirmed in a dairy worker in Colorado who contracted the virus from an infected cow. Since then, the number of human infections has been steadily increasing, with a total of 13 cases reported in the US since April.

Most recently, on July 25, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed three new human cases of bird flu in individuals working at an egg farm in Colorado where an outbreak of H5N1 occurred among the birds. These cases raise concerns about the potential for the virus to spread from person to person, although no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found so far.

Health officials are closely monitoring the situation, especially following the discovery of additional cases among poultry workers involved in culling infected birds at different facilities in Colorado. The CDC is investigating whether proper personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by the workers, as historically, most human cases of bird flu infection have occurred in individuals not wearing recommended PPE.

The risk of H5N1 infection in the general public is currently considered low, but experts emphasize the importance of preventative measures to limit the spread of the virus. While all reported US cases this year have resulted in mild symptoms, the H5N1 virus has previously had a high lethality rate, with nearly 50% of cases resulting in death from 2003 to 2023.

With concerns mounting over the growing number of bird flu cases and the potential for the virus to evolve and spread further, health authorities are urging vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to mitigate the risks posed by H5N1.