H5N1 Avian Flu Outbreaks Increase in U.S. Poultry and Wild Birds, Detected in Alaskan Polar Bears
The United States is experiencing a significant increase in H5N1 avian flu activity, with 20 new outbreaks confirmed in the past 30 days across commercial and backyard flocks, affecting a total of 560,000 birds. Minnesota has been particularly impacted, reporting six of these outbreaks, including two commercial turkey facilities in Stearns County that sickened 51,500 birds. The largest single outbreak occurred in Barron County, Wisconsin, involving 79,100 birds at a commercial turkey operation. Beyond poultry, Minnesota has also recorded at least 40 H5N1 detections in wild birds, such as mallards, Canada geese, and bald eagles, primarily within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. In a concerning development, a recent report in Science Direct confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in three dead polar bears in Alaska during 2023 and 2024, indicating a potential emerging threat to the species in the Arctic.