But it's rare for the bird flu to be transferred from one human to another, according to the AAFP. In order to do so, the virus must transform into a human flu virus.

HARDIN COUNTY, Iowa — A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected Thursday in a mixed species backyard flock in Hardin County, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and ...

April 21, 2025 How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains Avian flu strains tend to only affect birds, but the current outbreak has spread to cattle and ...

In the unlikely, but possible, event of a bird flu pandemic in humans, there are other lessons to be learned from COVID-19. Strategies to keep schools open and businesses working will be essential.

The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry and other animals around the world for several years, and starting early last year became a problem in people and cows in the U.S.

More than 100 federal scientists who track bird flu, including vaccine and food safety experts, have been laid off. This comes as the deadly pathogen rips through dairy herds and poultry flocks.

This bird flu, which scientists call highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, is already at panzootic—animal pandemic—status, killing birds in every continent except for Australia.