Bird Flu Update
The current bird flu outbreak — also called avian influenza, H5N1, or HPAI — started in February 2022.
- 72 people have contracted bird flu in the U.S., with no cases reported in Pennsylvania.
- There is no human-to-human spread of bird flu in the U.S.
- There have been two human deaths related to bird flu in the U.S.
Risk for Philadelphians
- If you don’t work closely with chickens, other poultry, dairy cows, or wild birds, your risk of getting bird flu is low.
- Still, it’s best to avoid direct contact with these animals to stay safe.
People can get sick from birds or animals
- Bird flu spreads when sick birds shed the virus in their saliva, mucus, and feces, and then animals and humans come into contact with sick birds or their body fluids.
- Some animals can carry bird flu and infect others without ever getting sick or before they start to look sick.
Find the latest updates on Bird Flu (H5N1) in Philadelphia.