Jul 7, 2025 - Health

CDC winds down emergency response to bird flu

Josephine Walker

Chickens are seen roaming around their coop at the Little Farm area of the Tilden Nature Area on March 16, 2025, in Berkeley, California. — CDC data shows 70 human bird flu cases were reported in the U.S. Photo: Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended its emergency response to the H5N1 bird flu and said Monday it will streamline future updates on the virus with routine reports on seasonal influenza.

The big picture: A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said the response was "deactivated to transition back to regular program activity" last Wednesday due to animal infections with the H5N1 strain declining and no human cases being reported since February.

CDC data shows 70 bird flu cases were reported in the U.S., but there are no known person-to-person exposures in the U.S. right now, eliminating the need for the virus' emergency declaration.
The agency will continue to monitor the situation and report data on the number of people monitored and tested for bird flu monthly.
Detections in animals will no longer be reported on the CDC's website, but can be found on the USDA's website.

State of play: There has only been one fatality from H5N1 in the U.S. since the CDC H5N1 Bird Flu Response was activated in April last year, which was reported earlier this year in Louisiana.

The highest concentration of cases on the West Coast in California and Washington, according to CDC data.

The most affected states have either ended or are winding down their responses.
The HHS spokesperson said in their email statement that although the current public health risk from H5N1 bird flu is low, the CDC will continue to monitor the situation and scale up activities as needed.

Go deeper: Bird flu's wild range

<br/>

Add Axios on Google

CDC winds down emergency response to bird flu

What to read next