A newly released map from Newsweek, leveraging data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), sheds light on the extent of bird flu outbreaks in poultry flocks across the country since 2022.
The hardest-hit county so far is Sioux in Iowa, where more than 12 million birds have been infected. Weld County, Colorado, was also badly hit, with 9.6 million infections.
In 2024 alone, 151 outbreaks were reported, contributing to a total of 1,420 outbreaks since the start of the crisis. Nationwide, more than 100 million poultry birds have died or been culled because of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus.
Why It Matters
The ongoing bird flu epidemic is not just an agricultural issue—it has far-reaching implications for public health and the economy. Prices for eggs, a household staple, have fluctuated wildly, with costs skyrocketing from $2.17 per dozen in January 2022 to $5.10 in 2023, according to USA Facts.
While prices dipped in 2024, they surged again to $4.15 per dozen by December.
More alarmingly, the virus has begun to infect humans, with the U.S. reporting 67 cases and its first human death on January 6. Experts warn that if the virus evolves to spread from person to person, it could trigger a global pandemic.
What To Know
Since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022, all 50 states have reported infections. The virus has ravaged populations of wild birds, poultry and dairy cattle.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most human infections (60 percent) to date have come from contact with infected cattle. About one-third have been linked with exposure to poultry farms or culling operations.
The CDC assures the public that the current risk to human health remains low but continues to closely monitor the situation. Flu surveillance systems are actively tracking H5N1 activity in humans, and while vaccines for poultry have been used in other countries, they remain controversial in the U.S.
What People Are Saying
Jeremy Rossman, senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent, U.K., told Newsweek: “Simply, I’d say that the decision not to do a US animal vaccination campaign is due to economics. Vaccination would have impacts on the animal product market. In addition, it is not clear who would pay for and arrange the campaign.
“In order for the campaign to effectively slow or stop the outbreak in the U.S., it would have to be widely implemented, and there are no policies currently in place to mandate this sort of vaccination and to protect the financial investment of the farmers.
“Finally, the vaccine is not a silver bullet and does not stop the main source of bird flu, which is spread within and from wild birds.”
What Happens Next
The U.S. faces an uphill battle in containing the bird flu outbreak. While some countries have successfully curbed the virus with vaccination campaigns among poultry, such measures remain politically and economically contentious domestically.
Meanwhile, the CDC continues its surveillance efforts and is working with states to monitor individuals exposed to infected animals. Research is ongoing to develop effective vaccines for cattle, which could play a crucial role in controlling the spread of the virus.
Is there a health problem that’s worrying you? Do you have a question about bird flu? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice and your story could be featured in Newsweek.
