Bird Flu Resurges as Monitoring Declines, Experts Warn
Bird‑flu cases are on the rise across the United States as wild waterfowl migrate south for the winter, bringing the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus into closer contact with domestic poultry operations and backyard flocks. As of November 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed detections in at least twelve states, a noticeable increase compared with the same period last year.
State agriculture agencies report that the virus has been identified in commercial turkey and chicken farms, prompting emergency response plans that include quarantine zones, testing of nearby premises, and, in several instances, the culling of thousands of birds to contain spread. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) estimates that the current outbreak could affect between 200,000 and 300,000 birds if unchecked, with economic losses potentially reaching tens of millions of dollars for producers.
The resurgence comes after a relatively quiet period following the major outbreaks of 2022‑2023, which led to intensified surveillance programs and substantial federal funding for testing and biosecurity measures. Over the past six months, however, several of those programs have been scaled back due to budget constraints and a shift in public health priorities, resulting in fewer field teams monitoring migratory pathways and reduced sampling of wild bird populations.
Federal and state officials acknowledge the heightened risk. A USDA spokesperson said that “the decline in routine monitoring makes it more challenging to detect early incursions, and we are urging states to re‑activate surveillance activities.” Industry groups have echoed the call for greater vigilance, noting that backyard bird owners often lack the resources to implement strict biosecurity, which can serve as a bridge for the virus to enter commercial settings.
Experts warn that while human infections with H5N1 remain rare, the virus’s ability to mutate underscores the importance of coordinated surveillance and rapid response. Ongoing research into poultry vaccines and antiviral treatments is expected to accelerate, and authorities are preparing contingency plans that could include temporary trade restrictions and targeted vaccination campaigns if the outbreak expands further.
