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H5N1 Bird Flu Continues Spreading Globally: UK and Cambodia Report New Cases as CDC Monitors Situation Closely
Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
This is Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update for Wednesday, August 20, 2025. I'm your host with the day's essential headlines and expert insights on the ongoing global situation.
Top stories
First, in the United Kingdom, the Animal and Plant Health Agency has confirmed a newly detected outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza at a premises near Romsey, Hampshire, England. This marks the 68th case in England since the current outbreak began in November last year. Great Britain remains under heightened surveillance, and the number of confirmed H5N1 cases across the UK remains unchanged from yesterday at 77, as reported by the UK government.
Second, in Cambodia, authorities have reported the 15th human H5N1 infection of the year. The latest patient, a six-year-old girl from Takeo province, was hospitalized yesterday after exposure to sick and dead poultry in her village. According to Cambodia’s National Institute of Public Health, seven of the fifteen Cambodian cases this year have been fatal, a case-fatality rate of nearly 47 percent. Nearly all cases are linked to direct contact with infected poultry, and genetic analysis has shown the involvement of a reassortant virus strain.
Third, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to report no new human H5N1 infections domestically since mid-February. The health risk to the general U.S. public is currently considered low, but the CDC stresses the importance of continued surveillance due to ongoing detection in wild birds and poultry worldwide. Sporadic human cases tied to contact with infected animals are anticipated but have not led to sustained human-to-human spread.
Case Numbers
Globally, total human H5N1 infections for 2025 stand at 26 as of early August, unchanged from previous days. There have been no new human cases reported globally in the last 24 hours. The majority of cases and fatalities this year have occurred in Cambodia, India, and Mexico, with all deaths linked to exposure to infected poultry.
Guidance and Statements
The CDC and World Health Organization continue to advise the public, especially in affected regions, to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and to report unusual mortality in poultry or wild birds. The current guidance for healthcare providers in the United States has not changed, with rapid subtyping of influenza A recommended for hospitalized patients and heightened vigilance urged for those with exposure histories.
Expert Interview
For today’s bulletin, infectious disease specialist Dr. Erik Karlsson shared, “We are seeing a steady but localized pattern of human H5N1 infections almost entirely linked to direct poultry contact. While the current risk of a global pandemic is considered low, genetic reassortment is an ongoing concern, underscoring the need for strict biosecurity and public awareness.”
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow, anticipation centers on updated reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health, particularly regarding ongoing outbreaks in Europe and Southeast Asia. Vigilance remains key as surveillance data is expected from several high-risk zones and ongoing genomic analyses may clarify evolution of circulating strains.
Thank you for tuning in to Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Join us again next week for more critical updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
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Published on 3 days, 17 hours ago