CDC Ends H5N1 Bird Flu Emergency Response as Risk Levels Decline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially ended its emergency response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, citing a decline in animal infections and no new human cases reported since February.
Why It Matters
The decision, announced on Monday, signals a return to routine monitoring procedures. According to a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the response was “deactivated to transition back to regular program activity” last Wednesday.
Although 70 cases of bird flu in animals have been reported across the United States, there have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission, significantly reducing the urgency of the outbreak.
Key Updates from the CDC
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No New Human Cases: The last confirmed human case was reported in February 2025 in Louisiana, which was also the only fatality in the U.S. since the outbreak response began in April last year.
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Geographic Spread: Most animal detections occurred in California and Washington, though other states are now scaling down or ending their responses.
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Ongoing Monitoring: The CDC will continue to track and test individuals potentially exposed to the virus and release monthly updates on its website.
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Animal Data Transitioned: Information on animal detections will now be available on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website instead of the CDC’s.
What’s Next?
While the immediate public health threat from H5N1 avian influenza remains low, the CDC emphasized that it will remain vigilant. The agency is prepared to scale up activities if necessary and continue collaboration with health departments nationwide.
The transition means updates on H5N1 will now be included in the CDC’s routine reports on seasonal influenza, streamlining public access to respiratory illness data.
