What you need to know
- Since bird flu is spreading among dairy cows, for now it’s best to avoid raw milk and raw cheeses like queso fresco or cotija.
- Everyone should avoid unprotected contact with wild birds or sick farm animals. If you’re a farm worker, wear protective gear like a mask and gloves while working near animals.
- If you develop flu-like symptoms within 10 days of exposure to an infected or potentially infected animal, isolate away from others, contact your local health department, and contact your doctor so you can start treatment right away.
In May 2024, another person was infected with bird flu in Michigan. This was the first time that bird flu was detected in cows and that the virus jumped from cows to people. As of February 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 68 human cases of bird flu, and farm workers are most at risk.
As the virus continues to spread among animals, researchers are increasingly concerned about whether the H5N1 bird flu could mutate and pose a greater threat to communities. Fortunately, most people are not currently at risk for bird flu, and there are steps we can all take to stay safe.
Read on to learn what bird flu is, how it spreads, and who is most vulnerable to infection.
What is bird flu, and where is it spreading?
The H5N1 bird flu is a type of influenza virus that primarily affects birds and can cause severe illness and death in animals. The H5N1 strain of bird flu was first identified in domestic birds in China in 1996, and it infected humans for the first time in 1997. Since then, human cases of bird flu have been rare.
In March, H5N1 bird flu was found in cows for the first time in the U.S., causing an outbreak in dairy herds and cattle across 12 states. It is also the first time bird flu has jumped from cows to people.
Since 2022, there have been four human cases of bird flu reported in the U.S., three this year. All four people who contracted bird flu had contact with sick animals in agricultural settings. Their symptoms were mild, and they all fully recovered.
Sometimes bird flu symptoms are severe and may require hospitalization. People who contract bird flu may experience a sore throat, cough, eye redness, fever, runny nose, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, headache, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or seizures. Some people may show no symptoms at all.
How can I protect myself from H5N1 bird flu?
You can protect yourself from bird flu by avoiding contact with wild birds, unprotected contact with domestic animals that may be sick or have died, and surfaces that may be contaminated with animal saliva, mucus, or feces. And if you’re a farm worker, wear a mask and gloves while working near animals.
Get your seasonal flu vaccine if you haven’t already. Although seasonal flu vaccines don’t protect against H5N1 bird flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they can “reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection.” It’s also important to wash your hands frequently and wear a well-fitting mask in crowded settings.
Avoid raw milk and raw cheeses like queso fresco or cotija. Pasteurized milk and cheese are safer because they are treated to kill bacteria and viruses.
Is there a vaccine for bird flu?
According to the CDC, there are two H5N1 bird flu vaccines ready for distribution in case person-to-person transmission occurs. If these vaccines are needed, the Food and Drug Administration could approve them quickly, since they’re made using the same manufacturing process that is used to create seasonal flu vaccines.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.