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Bird Flu Cases Decline in US as Latin America Boosts Surveillance and Cambodia Reports New H5N1 Infection
Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update
Friday, August 22, 2025
Good afternoon, it’s Friday, August 22, 2025. This is the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update, your source for concise, verified news on avian influenza. Here are today’s top stories.
Top Stories
First, Latin American and Caribbean laboratories have just wrapped up a five-day workshop in Rio de Janeiro to strengthen detection of avian influenza A (H5N1). This international effort, led by the Pan American Health Organization, trained 19 countries in advanced diagnostics, notably on testing influenza in milk samples. This comes as outbreaks in dairy cattle continue to challenge surveillance systems. Ottorino Cosivi, Director of PANAFTOSA, emphasized that “strengthening our region’s laboratories is vital for early detection and control of avian influenza, safeguarding both animal and human health” according to PAHO.
Second, Cambodia’s Ministry of Health has announced yet another human infection, marking the fifteenth confirmed H5N1 case in the country this year. The patient, a 6-year-old girl from Takeo province, remains hospitalized with fever, cough, and breathing problems after exposure to sick poultry. Of the 15 cases, 7 have been fatal. Erik Karlsson from the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia notes the case fatality rate is now nearly 47 percent and most cases are linked to direct contact with infected birds.
Third, recent updates from the CDC confirm the United States continues to see a dramatically reduced caseload. Since mid-February, no new human infections have been reported. The last spillover into dairy cattle occurred in early July, and active cases among U.S. dairy workers remain limited. As of today, 41 human cases have been reported among farm workers since the start of 2025, mostly mild, with no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. The CDC maintains that overall risk to the public remains low.
Changes in Case Numbers
Compared to yesterday, global case numbers remain stable. No new human cases have been reported in the U.S. or the Americas since the last reporting period. Cambodia’s new case is the only increase in confirmed human infections in the last 24 hours. The total worldwide count since January stands at 26, with fatalities confined to Cambodia, India, and Mexico.
Health Authority Guidance
The CDC and international agencies urge health professionals to remain vigilant, especially in regions with active animal outbreaks. The CDC’s latest advisory highlights the importance of accelerated flu subtyping in hospitalized patients and strict biosafety protocols for anyone exposed to poultry, dairy cattle, or wild birds. PAHO stresses the importance of training and multinational laboratory coordination for rapid response to emerging zoonotic threats.
Expert Interview Snippet
Dr. Maria Gutierrez, a zoonotic influenza specialist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, commented: “Despite the current low public risk in the U.S., complacency is not an option. Continuous monitoring of animal-to-human events is crucial because viruses like H5N1 can change quickly. Early detection remains our best tool for prevention.”
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow, health authorities in Southeast Asia will complete investigations into Cambodia’s newest case, and lab networks in Latin America will begin implementing protocols updated during this week’s workshop. The CDC is preparing its monthly summary due next week, expected to review changes in animal and human surveillance strategies and integrate lessons learned from recent dairy cattle outbreaks.
Thank you for tuning in to the Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update. Come back next week for more comprehensive coverage and expert analysis. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more information, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.
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Published on 1 day, 17 hours ago