A Phillip Island little penguin has died from the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Authorities say it is one of three new detections of the virus in Victoria.
Victoria's chief biodiversity officer says the death will not affect plans to begin vaccinating the little penguin colony on Monday.
>>Tasmania has confirmed its first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu that has impacted wildlife across five other Australian states.
Following testing which was completed overnight, a brown skua was confirmed to have had the virus.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE) said it was alerted to the carcass of the bird by staff from the Parks and Wildlife Service, who have been undertaking active surveillance of coastal areas.
The government said the first detection was a single case, and was not considered an outbreak.<<...
KATHMANDU — Delayed reporting, poor communication and weak biosecurity allowed bird flu to spread through Nepal’s Central Zoo in June and July killing or prompting the culling of at least 65 birds and animals, according to an internal inquiry report obtained by Mongabay.
The investigation by the nonprofit National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), the autonomous body that manages the zoo and frequently partners with the government, found that officials failed to act adequately on a warning about avian influenza among crows (Corvus splendens) in Kathmandu. The facility also remained open for five days after a rapid test indicated the virus was present.
“The investigation found serious negligence and weaknesses at the management level,” according to the report, a copy of which was provided to Mongabay following a right to information application.
The inquiry was led by Rachana Shah, the NTNC’s spokesperson and programs manager, raising questions about a conflict of interest. Shah rejected concerns about a potential conflict of interest, saying the goal was to identify institutional failures and draw lessons from the outbreak.
“We treated it as an opportunity to draw lessons from the incident, rather than as a formal investigation into the bird flu outbreak at the zoo,” she told Mongabay. “If a similar incident occurs in the future, we will bring in an external expert.”
According to the report, bird flu killed 27 birds and 14 mammals between June 12 and July 2, 2026. Authorities also culled 21 birds on suspicion of bird flu to contain the outbreak. Three additional animals (a barn owl, a golden jackal and an Asiatic black bear) died during the same period, bringing the total recorded deaths to 65.
The mammals included common leopards (Panthera pardus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), civets, a golden jackal (Canis aureus) and an Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus). The birds included barn owls (Tyto alba), Indian pond herons (Ardeola grayii), Himalayan griffons (Gyps himalayensis), kalij pheasants (Lophura leucomelanos), black-headed ibises (Threskiornis melanocephalus), a sarus crane (Antigone antigone), greylag geese (Anser anser), a spotted owlet (Athene brama) and a Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo).<< more at link
Diario Sao Paulo Google translation 8-8-26 >>
The Department of Agriculture and Supply confirmed an isolated case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a whistling duck (or irerê) in Ibirapuera Park, with no impact on poultry production.
The São Paulo Department of Agriculture and Supply confirmed, this Friday (August 7th), a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAAI) in a wild bird in Ibirapuera Park, located in the southern part of the city of São Paulo.
The infected bird is a whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata), a type of duck found in tropical Africa, the Antilles, and South America. The case was classified as isolated, with no connection to commercial farms or food production.
The confirmation was made by the Federal Agricultural Defense Laboratory, following the Agricultural Defense's work in isolating the bird, conducting clinical examinations, and collecting samples. The institution emphasizes that, since it is a case involving a wild bird, there are no embargoes on meat and egg exports.
The state government assures that there is no impact on poultry production and that the consumption of poultry meat and eggs remains safe. The sanitary status of São Paulo and Brazil before the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOH) has not been altered.
The Department of Agriculture emphasizes that health surveillance continues to monitor wild birds in parks and reserves, especially during migration periods. Biosecurity measures are already in place on rural properties to prevent the spread of the virus.
Experts recommend that the public avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds and contact health authorities if they suspect anything. Transmission to humans is considered low, but vigilance is essential to prevent mutations.
This is the second case of avian influenza in wild birds in the state in 2026, according to the department. The first case was recorded in another region, also without commercial impact.
The City of São Paulo, through the Municipal Secretariat for Green Areas and the Environment, informed that the park remains open to the public, but monitoring teams have been reinforced to track the situation of the local birds.
Mongabay 8-6-26 >>
KATHMANDU — In the village of Pithauli, on the edge of Nepal’s Chitwan National Park, a safe feeding site for critically endangered vultures has long been hailed as a success story by conservationists.
For visitors, the feeding site, also known as a “vulture restaurant”, provides a rare photo op for tourists: As white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) and slender-billed vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) feed on carcasses laid out by locals, greater one-horned rhinos, jackals, wild boars and crows watch and, sometimes, participate.
For ornithologist Rajendra Suwal, however, this ensemble is an eyesore, he told Mongabay, “If an infected bird comes to the site, the disease could spread to other birds or even animals.”.
Suwal’s concern stems from a recent outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza in the country’s capital. An outbreak that started in mid-June at Kathmandu’s Central Zoo is believed to have cost the lives of at least 65 animals and birds across more than 20 species. The dead included barn owls, Himalayan griffons, greylag geese, jungle cats, leopard cats, a sarus crane and two common leopards.
An investigation by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), which manages the zoo, says the origin of the outbreak could likely be traced to two sources: Among birds, it likely started through feral crows roosting in open-topped aviary enclosures, while for carnivores, it spread through chicken meat fed to them by the zoo.
Notably, the zoo’s six tigers (Panthera tigris) were unaffected. A member of NTNC’s investigation committee told Mongabay that this is not necessarily because one species is more resistant. “Tigers at the zoo are fed roughly 5-7 kilograms of buffalo meat each per day, not chicken, so they were never on the same exposure pathway as the infected carnivores,” said the committee member, who asked not to be named as they weren’t authorized to talk to the media.
In national parks, however, carnivores often share common diets. There are also no enclosures to inspect, no feeding records to audit and no vet team to notice the first death, ornithologist Suwal said. Central Zoo lost many animals before it could contain the outbreak, but a park may not know it has an outbreak at all, he added.
Two viruses and a delayed response
A copy of the NTNC’s investigation report, obtained by Mongabay through a right-to-information request, shows two influenza viruses potentially circulating at the zoo during the outbreak.
Birds tested positive for H5 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Jungle cats, leopard cats and the zoo’s two common leopards all tested positive for the “low pathogenic” H9, believed to cause mild or no symptom in birds. NTNC’s committee attributed the carnivore deaths, including the leopards, to the outbreak.
The central vet lab’s report to NTNC, reviewed by Mongabay, flagged the H9 finding, “Although H9 LPAI [low pathogenic avian influenza] generally causes mild disease in birds … detection of this strain in wild felids is of concern”.
Umesh Dahal, Director General at the Department of Livestock Services, confirmed the distinction to Mongabay: “We found H5 and H9 in birds. However, the mammals died due to H9, which is an influenza virus that we do not classify as bird flu.” No park-specific surveillance was needed, he added.
Asked about the lab’s own “of concern” language, he said existing regulations were sufficient.
The investigation committee’s report said the zoo administration knew of bird deaths and bird flu suspicion from June 13, but didn’t notify headquarters until July 19 — five days after the lab confirmed the outbreak. It’s the first known case in Nepal where influenza has hit both zoo birds and mammals. The zoo outbreak occurred amid a wider H5N1 wave that spread to 11 districts after starting March and led to the culling of hundreds of thousands of poultry nationwide, according to Department of Livestock Services data.
One more threat for common leopards
The health of common leopards is a particular concern in Nepal. A 2024 study suggests canine distemper virus, a serious and contagious disease, already circulates among Nepal’s wild population, potentially causing deaths. Canine distemper antibodies have also been reported in tigers.
The death of the two leopards at the zoo attributed to H9 presents a case for the susceptibility of wild leopard populations to the viral strain. Leopards across Nepal regularly prey on domestic poultry, providing H9 with a plausible route from farms into the wild population.
A 2025 DNA study of leopard scat in forests around the Kathmandu Valley found chicken made up nearly a fifth of the leopard diet by frequency. Other studies also point the same way: In the mid-hills (also known as the “lesser Himalaya”) livestock accounted for more of leopards’ dietary biomass than wild ungulates did.
Wild leopards have so far not been tested for influenza, but a wild leopard preying on an infected farm bird would face a comparable exposure route to the leopards in Central Zoo without a keeper to notice any sickness, a member of the NTNC investigation committee told Mongabay.
A leopard in the Central Zoo. Leopards across Nepal regularly prey on domestic poultry, providing H9 with a plausible route from farms into the wild population. Image by Petr Meissner via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).
The vulture restaurant question
Nepal’s vulture restaurants were born after the livestock painkiller diclofenac poisoned vultures that fed on treated carcasses, triggering collapses in populations.
Nepal banned veterinary diclofenac in 2006 and opened the first “restaurant” that year at Pithauli, Nawalpur. There are now more than half a dozen nationwide. The sites are also close to the feedings grounds of crows, vultures, rhinos, jackals and wild boars, creating a contact risk analogous to the zoo’s but with no veterinary oversight.
Ornithologist Suwal said he questions how often carcasses are provided at some sites: Wild vultures feed once and go 10–12 days before eating again, so three or four feedings a week may let pat hogens accumulate. Ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral, one of the pioneers of the vulture restaurant model, went further: If bird flu risk is confirmed, feeding at the restaurants should stop.
Ankit Bilash Joshi from the NGO Bird Conservation Nepal, which supports a vulture feeding site in nearby Kawasoti, said active sites rotate every 20–30 days and are disinfected regularly
Two years ago, three vultures showed signs of illness, Joshi said. Two birds tested positive for positive for disease antibodies ,suggesting the infection wasn’t transmissible to humans, he said.
Team leader at the Pithauli site, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary said restaurant staff are more vigilant since the zoo outbreak, no birds there have shown symptoms and no antibody testing is planned.
Vultures from surrounding areas, some of which are tagged, feed on a carcass provided at a vulture restaurant in southern Nepal. Image by Abhaya Raj Joshi for Mongabay.
No plan for national parks
Nepal’s Bird Flu Control Regulations 2019 contain provisions for an inter-departmental coordinating committee that would require sample collection from bird habitats when an outbreak is suspected.
But Buddhi Sagar Paudel, Director General at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, said there’s no park-specific program, “We consider the situation to be under control, so we have not prepared any separate plan.” Director General at the Department of Livestock Services Dahal said he backs that position.
Writing about the zoo, NTNC’s committee reached the opposite conclusion and recommended an urgent contingency plan, biosecurity guidelines and a transparent, 24-hour reporting system.
“It is unfortunate that even when all should come together to face a pandemic, treating it lightly by not informing the higher authority in time leads to a situation where risk reduction becomes impossible,” the committee said.
“We need active monitoring not just sample collection when something is already dead,” ornithologist Suwal added.
At Pithauli, restaurant team leader Chaudhary is watching his staff, monitoring his birds and waiting. So far, nothing has raised the alarm, but winter will bring migratory species and, with them, new variables. “We are being careful,” he said.
aviNews English version 8-5-26 >>
Active avian influenza outbreaks in nine Vietnamese provinces have prompted tighter disease control and vaccination measures.
Vietnam’s Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has urged local authorities to intensify containment measures as avian influenza continues to spread. Active outbreaks remain in nine provinces and cities, raising concerns over low vaccination coverage and the risk of further disease transmission.
Since early 2026, the situation has remained complex. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment have recorded 80 outbreaks across 73 communes and wards in 17 provinces and cities.
More than 349,000 poultry have died or been culled. Of these, 26 outbreaks in nine provinces and cities have not yet completed the mandatory 21‑day disease‑free observation period.
The affected localities include Ninh Binh (6 outbreaks), Thanh Hoa (5), Cao Bang (4), Nghe An (3), Dien Bien, Tuyen Quang and Khanh Hoa (2 each), and Bac Ninh and Da Nang (1 each).
Animal health officials warned that the risk of new outbreaks remains high. Poultry restocking, transport, slaughter, and trade continue, while many small farms still lack proper biosecurity practices.
The first vaccination campaign of 2026 revealed significant shortcomings. Nationwide, only 127.17 million birds were vaccinated out of the eligible 247.21 million poultry eligible, a coverage rate of just 51.44%. This falls short of the level needed to establish herd immunity.
Several provinces reported particularly low vaccination rates, including Lam Dong (0.51%), Tuyen Quang (2.32%), Da Nang (3.48%), Lai Chau (3.72%), Gia Lai (8.60%) and Thai Nguyen (18.78%).
Authorities also identified weaknesses in vaccination data management, with some localities failing to report accurate poultry populations or submitting inconsistent figures.
The Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has directed provincial authorities to assign veterinary personnel to investigate outbreaks and collect samples for testing.
Control measures include the culling infected and suspected flocks, establishing quarantine zones, cleaning and disinfecting farms, and tightening movement controls for poultry and poultry products.
Officials stressed that disease and outbreak declarations must follow legal procedures. Concealing outbreaks, selling infected poultry, illegal slaughter, or improper disposal of dead birds will result in strict penalties.
Affected provinces and cities must inspect every active outbreak, close control gaps, and update progress daily through the Vietnam Animal Health Information System (VAHIS). Consolidated reports are due before 4:00 p.m. every Friday.
To reduce the risk of wider disease spread and potential transmission to humans, authorities are focusing on vaccination, biosecurity, and transport control. Local officials must review poultry populations, particularly smallholder farms and new flocks, and carry out supplementary vaccination.
Vaccine supplies should be prioritized for outbreak areas, buffer zones, high-density regions, and live bird markets, while ensuring vaccine strains match circulating viruses.
The department also urged poultry producers to strengthen biosecurity by limiting movement of people, vehicles, chicks, and feed, disinfecting regularly, and avoiding restocking until disease-free conditions have been restored and vaccination requirements have been met.
Veterinary authorities will continue working with police, market surveillance agencies and border forces to strengthen inspections at poultry trading points, wholesale markets and border areas in an effort to prevent the illegal movement of poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.
without paywall https://archive.ph/PgCDr >>
Australia is grappling with a rapid spread of avian flu among wild birds, with authorities warning that the virus has become increasingly difficult to control and poses a significant mortality threat to the nation’s wildlife.
The number of confirmed or presumed positive cases of deadly H5 avian influenza in Australian birds has risen to 74, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said on Monday. That’s nearly three times the level reported by the government a little less than a week ago.
“Once the H5 bird flu is spreading in wildlife and the natural environment, it is not possible to avoid significant losses, which is what we are starting to see now,” Collins said at a press conference in Canberra, adding that the government had confirmed the country’s first mass-mortality event in wild birds in the state of South Australia.
So far, no cases of bird flu have been detected in Australia’s agriculture sector. The minister said last week that businesses have been implementing biosecurity measures to protect chickens, including limiting contact with wild birds and preventing contamination of food and water sources. Other measures, including housing orders for free-range chickens, will be decided by individual states and territories, Collins said.
Until recently, Australia was the last continent to be unaffected by H5 avian influenza, which has spread rapidly around the world, devastated poultry flocks and infected dozens of species of mammals.
The first case in the country was detected in mid-June, in a migratory seabird. Despite initial hopes that the virus might not be transmitted to local wildlife, it has since been found in greater crested terns and silver gulls in several states.
The first case of local transmission between native wildlife was detected on July 29, after which the spread has rapidly escalated. There have also been two cases of the virus detected in New Zealand, where the country’s extensive dairy industry could be vulnerable.
WATTPoultry >>
A month-long period without detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus on Europe’s poultry farms has ended with the German outbreak.
Article Summary
H5N1 avian flu has re-emerged on a poultry farm in Lower Saxony, Germany, infecting 3,500 turkeys and killing five birds, ending a two-month period without detected cases in the region. This outbreak marks a return of highly pathogenic avian influenza to European commercial poultry operations, with Germany currently recording 40 farm outbreaks for the year alongside hundreds of cases in wild birds across the continent.
WHO Western Pacific Region Avian Influenza Weekly Update Number 1055, July 31 https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/wpro---documents/emergency/surveillance/avian-influenza/ai_20260731.pdf?sfvrsn=c9ab420c_1 >>
From 24 to 30 July 2026, four new cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) virus were reported to WHO in the Western Pacific Region. All four cases were from China. The cases included a 72-year-old female from Jiangxi Province with symptom onset on 5 July 2026; a 12-year-old male from Jiangsu Province with symptom onset on 6 July 2026; a 3-year-old female from Gansu Province with symptom onset on 11 July 2026; and a 58-year-old female from Yunnan Province with symptom onset on 13 July 2026. The four cases reported were geographically distinct from each other. One case reported direct exposure to live-poultry, while three had potential exposure related to live-poultry stalls or wet market visits. Two cases with underlying chronic respiratory disease conditions were hospitalized and subsequently discharged. The remaining two cases experienced mild illness, were not hospitalized and had recovered at the time of reporting.
Since 2015, a total of 177 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2), including two deaths (both with underlying conditions), have been reported to WHO in the Western Pacific Region. Of these, 174 were reported from China, two were from Cambodia, and one was from Viet Nam.
Most human infections with avian influenza A(H9N2) have been associated with exposure to infected poultry or contaminated poultry environments, and the majority of cases have been mild. Sporadic human infections continue to be expected in areas where H9N2 viruses circulate in poultry populations. Current evidence indicates that H9N2 viruses have not acquired the ability for sustained human-to-human transmission, and the risk of further community-level spread remains low.<<
eta: confirmed >>Two additional suspected cases of H5 bird flu have been detected in South Australia, including one on a metropolitan beach.
A greater crested tern was found near Robe on South Australia's Limestone Coast, while another greater crested tern was found at a beach ramp near the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club, north-west of Adelaide.
If confirmed, Semaphore will be the first metropolitan case in the state.
SA Environment Minister Emily Bourke said the bird found in Robe was located 4 kilometres from the location where the first Australian seabird confirmed to have the H5 strain of bird flu was found.
"Unfortunately, we are finding that these two cases are in our local [bird] species, so we need to send these tests off now to Geelong for them to have confirmation at that centralised location that they are, or are not, the H5 high strand of this disease," Ms Bourke said.
Previous confirmed cases involved migratory birds from the sub-Antarctic region.<< ...
WHO Influenza at the human-animal interface Summary and risk assessment (from 13 June to 7 July 2026)
Avian Flu Diary: July 13th, 2026 (no link due to web host issue) >>
In their latest Influenza at the human-animal interface Summary and risk assessment (from 13 June to 7 July 2026) - published over the weekend - the WHO has announced a 3rd H5N1 case in a Bangladeshi child in the past 6 months.
Last April, we saw a fatal case reported from the Chattogram Division, in a child who fell ill on January 22nd, was hospitalized on January 28th, and who died on February 1st. The H5N1 infection was only determined posthumously, via lab analysis on Feb 7th.
In early June we learned of a 2nd case, a child from Sylhet Division who was hospitalized on March 28th with a clinical diagnosis of measles with bronchopneumonia. The child was discharged on March 31st, but delayed testing by the IEDCR only revealed a positive H5N1 result on April 20th.
Today, we have another report which - once again - was only fully diagnosed belatedly, and this time the child was only seen as an outpatient. As with the last case, this case also hails from Sylhet Division.
Avian influenza viruses in humans
A(H5), Bangladesh
On 15 June 2026, Bangladesh notified WHO of one laboratory-confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5) infection in Bangladesh in a child from Sylhet Division. The case was detected notified through the National Influenza Surveillance, Bangladesh (NISB) platform as an influenza like-illness (ILI) case.
The patient developed respiratory symptoms on 17 May 2026, received outpatient healthcare on 20 May. A clinical sample was collected that day and was received by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) on 4 June as part of routine surveillance.
The sample tested positive for influenza A(H5) virus by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on 11 June. The patient is now in good health and reported no travel history and no history of exposure to poultry.
However, poultry deaths were reported in the area surrounding the patient’s residence. The outbreak investigation team identified and followed close and possible contacts. Samples from some of the close contacts as well as animal and environmental samples were collected for testing for influenza. All contacts remained asymptomatic and all samples tested negative for influenza.
This is the third laboratory-confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5) reported in Bangladesh in 2026, and the 15th human case of avian influenza A(H5) reported to WHO from Bangladesh since 2008, including two fatal cases, one reported in 2013 and one in 2026
(Continue . . . )
Sadly, this is a pattern we see far too often, and not just in Bangladesh. Delayed diagnosis not only endangers the patient's health, it risks unknowingly exposing others to the virus, and delays greatly reduce the effectiveness contact tracing or testing of others who may have been exposed.
We've seen numerous examples (see here, here, here, and here) of delayed diagnosis of novel flu in hospitalized patients, even here in the United States and in Europe (see H9N2 in Italy).
Admittedly, novel flu can often present with atypical signs and symptoms, or may be mild or even asymptomatic, and not justify hospitalization or comprehensive testing (which may not even be available in some parts of the world).
Additionally, standard throat swabs sometimes don't yield a positive result, and viral shedding can fluctuate over the course of infection, making false negatives not uncommon.
Recognizing the problem, in 2024 the ECDC issued guidance for member nations on Enhanced Influenza Surveillance to Detect Avian Influenza Virus Infections in the EU/EEA During the Inter-Seasonal Period.
In that summary, the ECDC pointed out:
Sentinel surveillance systems are important for the monitoring of respiratory viruses in the EU/EEA, but these systems are not designed and are not sufficiently sensitive to identify a newly emerging virus such as avian influenza in the general population early enough for the purpose of implementing control measures in a timely way.
In January 2025 we saw a CDC HAN: Accelerated Subtyping of Influenza A in Hospitalized Patients, which urged immediate, and more thorough subtype testing of suspected flu cases.
Since these are recommendations, and not mandates, it isn't clear how fine a net we are casting at the local level (see Idaho Health HAN: Consider Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Patients with Dairy Cattle or Poultry Exposure).
Today's WHO report also summarizes 2 recent H9N2 cases (see chart below), and a novel H3N2v case from Brazil.
Influenza A(H3N2)v, Brazil
On 25 June 2026, Brazil notified PAHO/WHO of a laboratory-confirmed human infection with an influenza A(H3N2)v virus detected in a child in Santa Catarina state. The patient had symptom onset on 12 June 2026 and due to worsening respiratory symptoms, healthcare was sought on 16 June.
The patient was referred for hospital admission with a diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Upon admission, an antigen test confirmed influenza A and the patient was placed in a private respiratory isolation room and antiviral treatment was initiated.
The patient was discharged on 19 June.
A nasopharyngeal swab sample was collected on 16 June and sent to the State public health laboratory for real-time RT-PCR. On 18 June, a swine-origin influenza H3 variant was suspected, and the sample was sent to the Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses, Exanthems, Enteroviruses, and Viral Emergencies (LVRE) at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz/Rio de Janeiro) on 19 June.
Analyses confirmed the presence of an influenza A(H3N2)v virus via molecular testing and genomic sequencing. An investigation by the state and municipality epidemiological surveillance team found that all contacts were asymptomatic before, during and after the child’s illness.
The child's grandfather worked at a swine nursery housing approximately 5,000 animals, though he noted that sanitary barriers were in place. The child frequently visited the grandfather's home and had contact with him several days a week. This is the first human A(H3N2)v infection detected in the Brazil in 2026 and the first case reportedi n the state of Santa Catarina.
In this case, a novel H3 flu virus was suspected in the child after 2 days in the hospital, but was not confirmed until sometime after the patient was discharged (date not explicitly stated).
It takes both planning - and certain amount of luck - to detect novel flu cases in the community, as confirmed cases only represent the very tip of the surveillance and reporting pyramid.
While there is no evidence that HPAI H5 is spreading efficiently from human-to-human right now, the evidence suggests that it is spilling over into humans more often than we know.
And even if there is some (as yet, unknown) species barrier that prevents H5 from ever becoming a pandemic, there are plenty of other viruses out there following similar paths.
Eventually, one of them will get lucky. It's only a matter of time.
KSL >>
OGDEN — Weber County officials have declared a state of emergency stemming from the presence of avian flu at four dairies in the county.
The action Tuesday paves the way federal and state assistance, including access to low-interest loans, to help the impacted operations contend with the situation. Box Elder County officials took similar action earlier this month due to the same issue.
The pathogenic avian influenza strain has thus far impacted four of nine dairies in Weber County, according to the resolution declaring the emergency. Bren Edwards, president of Weber County Farm Bureau, said two or three more Weber County dairies could be impacted given "the high rate of transmission" of the ailment.
The influenza strain reduces milk production and can impact the ability of cows to reproduce, causing affected dairy farmers to take a financial hit. The impacted Weber County dairies, Edwards said, are experiencing a reduction in milk production of 6,000 to 10,000 pounds of milk per day.
The avian flu strain was detected sometime around last May in the Cache Valley, Edwards said, before it spread to Box Elder County and now Weber County. According to the resolution approved by Weber County commissioners, impacted cows can face quarantines and monitoring of up to 90 days.
"The confirmed infections in these dairy farms, quarantine and biosecurity measures, cattle illness and mortality and significant milk-production losses will result in substantial economic loss to the affected producers," reads the Weber County measure. The emergency declaration lasts up to 30 days.
eta: Confirmed positive 7-25-26. A suspect positive case means the bird has tested positive for H5 bird flu at the Queensland government biosecurity laboratory, but national protocol requires the sample to be sent to the Centre for Disease Preparedness. Australian Broadcasting Corporation >>
Queensland authorities say they believe a suspected positive case of H5 bird flu has been detected in the state.
Samples from a migratory bird found washed up on Moreton Island have been sent to a CSIRO lab for confirmation.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said a deceased petrel was found by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff in the last 24 hours.
"We are prepared for this, there has been constant communication federally with respect to this," he said.
Mr Perrett said there had been 17 positive cases detected across Australia so far, the majority of which have been in Western Australia.
Queensland chief veterinary officer Alison Crook said it is a "similar scenario" to other cases around Australia.<< more at link
7-20-26 Google translation https://www.radiotapejara.com.br/noticia/99027/governo-gaucho-confirma-foco-de-gripe-aviaria-em-criacao-de-subsistencia-no-norte-do-estado >>
The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (Seapi) confirmed, last Saturday (18), the occurrence of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), known as avian flu, in a subsistence poultry farm in the municipality of Coqueiros do Sul, in the North of Rio Grande do Sul. The confirmation was made by the Federal Laboratory of Agricultural Defense of Campinas (LFDA-SP), after analysis of samples collected by teams from the Official Veterinary Service.
The case involves a domestic operation, intended for the family's own consumption and with no connection to the commercial production of chicken meat or eggs. According to Seapi, this type of occurrence does not alter the sanitary status of commercial poultry farming in Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, nor does it cause restrictions on exports of poultry products.
As stipulated in the health protocol, teams from the Department of Agriculture will intensify surveillance within a 10-kilometer radius of the property where the virus was identified. The actions include inspections of other poultry farms, providing guidance to producers, and monitoring to quickly identify any new cases.
What is avian flu and what are its impacts?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects domestic and wild birds. In exceptional circumstances, it can also infect mammals and humans, usually after direct and prolonged contact with sick animals.
The main signs of the disease include apathy, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, neurological changes, reduced egg production, and sudden death of the birds.
Health authorities emphasize that there is no risk in consuming properly prepared and inspected chicken meat and eggs, as avian influenza is not transmitted through food. The recommendation is to avoid handling sick or dead birds.
Any suspicion should be reported immediately to the official agricultural defense service so that the control measures provided for in the sanitary protocols can be adopted.
==
Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation https://www.agricultura.rs.gov.br/gripeaviaria
7-19-26 Google translation https://leneutre.tg/face-a-la-detection-de-la-grippe-aviaire-au-togo-le-gouvernement-deploie-un-dispositif-de-riposte-dans-trois-prefectures/ >>
In response to the detection of avian influenza in Togo, the government is deploying a response plan in three prefectures.The Togolese government has confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in five poultry farms located in the prefectures of Vo, Zio, and Lacs. Faced with this health threat, a large-scale response plan has been activated to contain the spread of the disease and protect both animal and public health.
Togo is strengthening its vigilance against avian influenza. In a joint statement released on July 18, 2026, the ministers in charge of Agriculture, Health and the Environment announced the detection of the H5N1 virus in five poultry farms spread across the prefectures of Vo, Zio and Lacs.
According to authorities, the first warning signs came from livestock farmers who reported unusual mortality rates among their animals. Investigations conducted by veterinary services, followed by analyses carried out at the Central Veterinary Laboratory (LCV) in Lomé, confirmed the presence of the virus on farms located in Agbélikouté, Kovié, Vodougbé, Hémadzro, and Noblokomé.
A response triggered as soon as the cases were confirmed
Following this confirmation, the government immediately implemented the national operational plan to combat avian influenza. The objective is to quickly contain outbreaks of infection in order to prevent any spread to other farms.
The measures taken include the culling of contaminated poultry, the incineration and burial of carcasses, the destruction of eggs, poultry feed, and any potentially contaminated farm equipment. A complete disinfection operation of the affected farms has also been initiated.
Furthermore, the five affected farms have been placed under quarantine. Poultry movements are now prohibited, and poultry markets in the affected areas will remain closed for a period of thirty days.
Increased surveillance in the affected areas
Beyond containment measures, authorities have intensified surveillance of farms located around infected areas. Veterinary services are continuing inspections to quickly detect any new cases.
In parallel, health monitoring is being carried out for people who have been in contact with the affected farms. This strategy is part of the "One Health" approach, which promotes coordination between the human health, animal health, and environmental sectors for the effective management of health risks.
Authorities are calling for vigilance
In their statement, Ministers Antoine Lekpa Gbegbeni, Jean-Marie Koffi Ewounou, and Komla Dodzi Kokoroko urge farmers to strictly implement biosecurity measures on poultry farms. They also call on the public to immediately report any sudden or unusual mortality of poultry or wild birds to veterinary services or the relevant authorities.
Through this response, the government intends to limit the spread of the H5N1 virus, protect the national poultry industry and prevent any risk of transmission, while maintaining close monitoring of the evolution of the situation in the prefectures concerned.
7-18-26 Google translation https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/tuyen-quang-xu-ly-cac-o-dich-cum-gia-cam-a-h5n1-d822035.html >>Tuyen Quang province is handling outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1.
Following the detection of two outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1 in the area, the authorities in Tuyen Quang province have implemented a comprehensive set of measures to contain and control the outbreaks.
An outbreak of avian influenza A/H5N1 has been detected in Tuyen Quang.
Inter-agency task force in Dien Bien prevents avian influenza from spreading to humans.
Reduce the number of outbreaks of avian influenza and African swine fever by at least 30%.
The first outbreak of avian influenza was detected at the household of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Huong in Chang village, Dong Tam commune. From June 23rd, Mr. Huong's ducks began showing signs of illness and dying sporadically. However, the family did not report the situation to the local authorities or specialized agencies, instead buying medicine to treat the birds themselves, which delayed the detection of the outbreak.
On June 28th, after receiving information from residents, the Economic Department, in coordination with the Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Station of Region V, conducted an inspection and collected samples for testing. The results confirmed a positive test for avian influenza A/H5N1. The entire flock of 200 Muscovy ducks belonging to the family was destroyed in accordance with regulations.
According to Mr. Hoang Kim Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Tam commune, immediately after the outbreak was announced, the commune mobilized forces to support households in handling the outbreak, organized daily lime spreading and disinfection spraying, and simultaneously implemented disease prevention and control measures throughout the area.
The entire commune used 350 liters of chemicals to disinfect 352 households in 11 villages. In Chang village alone, authorities sprayed 150 liters of chemicals over an area of approximately 61,000 m² at 122 livestock farming households; simultaneously, 6,330 doses of avian influenza vaccine were administered to all chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys belonging to households in the village. As of July 17th, no new outbreaks have been recorded in Chang village or surrounding areas.<< ...
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7-18-26 Google translation https://baonghean.vn/fr/khan-truong-khoanh-vung-dap-dich-cum-gia-cam-h5n1-tai-xa-hung-chau-10344645.html >>Urgent measures are being taken to contain and eradicate the H5N1 avian influenza epidemic in the commune of Hung Chau.
The H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, which appeared in late June in the commune of Hung Chau, forced local authorities to cull approximately 17,000 poultry to contain its spread. Faced with the complexity of the epidemic, local authorities and provincial specialists implemented a comprehensive set of measures, determined to bring the disease under control as quickly as possible.
Mobilize the entire political system to fight the epidemic.
Currently, in the fields of Hung Chau commune, Nghe An province, veterinarians, police officers, military personnel, youth union members, and other local forces are working tirelessly to collect and destroy infected poultry, disinfect the areas, and control the risk of new outbreaks. This urgent mobilization demonstrates the local authorities' determination to stop the spread of H5N1 avian influenza.
The commune of Hung Chau has a large poultry population, vast rice paddies, and a dense network of canals and ditches. The local population mainly raises free-range ducks, which involves frequent movement of poultry from one area to another, making disease control particularly difficult once the first cases appear.
According to the People's Committee of Hung Chau commune, on June 20, the first case of H5N1 avian influenza was detected at the home of Mr. Ngo Van De in Truong Thanh hamlet. Upon confirmation of the presence of the H5N1 virus, local authorities immediately implemented regulatory measures, organized the quarantine and culling of the infected poultry flock, and collected samples for surveillance in neighboring areas.<< ...
Several reports mention that the outbreak has affected only fighting birds at this time. Google translation https://www.gob.pe/institucion/senasa/noticias/1418127-senasa-establece-medidas-preventivas-temporales-frente-a-brote-de-influenza-aviar-en-lima >>
SENASA
July 13, 2026 - 8:30 pm
The National Agrarian Health Service (SENASA) declared a state of preventive health emergency in the national territory, after identifying isolated cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry in the districts of Carabayllo and Cañete, in the department of Lima.
The measure, formalized through Head Resolution No. D000104-2026-MIDAGRI-SENASA-JN , published in the official gazette 'El Peruano', is a standard regulatory mechanism that empowers the institution to expedite resources and strengthen surveillance efforts for the benefit of the national poultry industry. The early detection system allowed for the immediate isolation of these areas, keeping the health situation under control.
As part of the health actions, SENASA personnel are carrying out the following control tasks on the affected properties: epidemiological investigation of the origin of infection, contact tracing, cleaning and disinfection of the facilities, in addition to sanitary slaughter as part of the quarantine measures; likewise, epidemiological surveillance is carried out in the surrounding areas to detect possible new outbreaks and prevent the spread of the disease to other areas.
In compliance with international standards of transparency and timely notification, SENASA notified the detection to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOSA), reaffirming Peru's commitment to epidemiological surveillance, sanitary actions for prevention and control, communication to its trading partners and the protection of safe trade in animals and their products.
Business continuity guaranteed
Food security and the supply of poultry products nationwide are fully guaranteed. Furthermore, thanks to the zoning and compartmentalization agreements managed by SENASA, the flow of Peruvian exports remains uninterrupted with its main trading partners.
This finding is the result of ongoing monitoring. Between 2025 and June 2026, the institution proactively evaluated 13,255 birds on commercial farms and 13,967 on family farms.
Finally, breeders are reminded of the importance of maintaining biosecurity measures on their properties. To report any suspected cases of disease in birds, the institution has made available the phone number <<
https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20260711/b97c21fccec647ceab3ef0a550d75084/c.html >>
PHNOM PENH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- A nine-month-old girl in Cambodia has tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza, marking the country's fifth human case of 2026, the Ministry of Health said in a statement late on Saturday.
The infant, from Prek Takong village, Meanchey district, Phnom Penh, was confirmed positive for the virus on Thursday, the statement said.
A team of doctors is providing the patient with intensive care, it added.
Health authorities "are investigating the infection's source and tracing contacts to prevent community transmission," the statement said.
H5N1 avian influenza, which typically circulates among poultry, can infect humans and cause symptoms ranging from fever and cough to severe respiratory illness.
The statement said that bird flu still threatens public health, urging people to avoid consuming sick or dead poultry and cook all poultry thoroughly.
AFD: Saturday, July 11, 2026 (no link due to web host issue)
Emerging Microbes & Infections study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/22221751.2026.2686474 >>
In the fall of 2024 - while we were watching the bovine B3.13 genotype spread in U.S. cattle - a new genotype (D1.1) of H5N1 appeared in Canada and the Pacific Northwest which very quickly became dominant in wild birds and swept eastward across the United States and Canada.
Since then, we've seen roughly 2 dozen confirmed human infections from this D1.1 genotype - several of them severe or fatal (see CDC Statement: First H5 Bird Flu Death Reported in United States) - along with studies suggesting it may better adapted to humans than B3.13 (see J.I.D.: Avian influenza virus A(H5N1) genotype D1.1 is better adapted to human nasal and airway organoids than genotype B3.13).
In early 2025 D1.1 was detected in dairy cattle in two states (Nevada & Arizona), and later in Wisconsin, further raising concerns over its ability to infect mammals.
When it comes to treating H5N1 infection, Oseltamivir (aka `Tamiflu') remains the overwhelming drug of choice (see below), and makes up > 90% of our stockpiled influenza antiviral armamentarium.
Previous reports on the incidence of oseltamivir resistance in H5N1 have been fairly reassuring (see 2023's Antiviral Research: Antiviral susceptibility of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 Viruses Isolated From Birds & Mammals in the United States, 2022), but we've seen how quickly that status quo can change.
Which is why the surprise announcement in February of 2025 that Oseltamivir Resistant H5N1 (Genotype D1.1) had been found On 8 Canadian Poultry Farms in the fall of 2024, raised so many concerns.
In a report from Canada's CFIA and PHAC - the authors described the detection of a (previously) rare H275Y substitution in the neuraminidase (NA) protein of a number of genotype D1.1 isolates, one which is associated with strong resistance to the NA inhibitors oseltamivir and peramivir.
Normally, we only see this mutation appear in a small percentage (1%) of patients receiving antiviral treatment. Because it is thought to exact a `fitness penalty' on influenza A viruses - limiting forward transmission - H275Y in the `wild' is fairly rare.
But over the past few years we've seen evidence of creeping oseltamivir resistance in seasonal H1N1 (FluView Week #20: EOY Review of Increased Detection of Oseltamivir Resistant H1N1 Viruses), along with growing concerns that oseltamivir monotherapy may no longer be the most effective treatment of H5N1.
Emerg Microbes & Inf: Antiviral Activities of Multiple Antivirals Against HPAI H5N1 in Vitro and in Mice
Nature Comms: Baloxavir outperforms oseltamivir, favipiravir, and amantadine in treating lethal influenza A(H5N1) HA clade 2.3.4.4b infection in mice
Nature Comms: Oseltamivir and Baloxavir Monotherapy and Combination Therapy Efficacy Against Clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) Influenza Virus Infection in Ferrets
All of which brings us to a new study, published in Emerging Microbes & Infections, which characterizes the oseltamivir resistant D1.1 viruses detected on 8 Canadian poultry farms in the fall of 2024.
This is a lengthy, and at times technical, review. I've posted the abstract and a few excerpts below, but many will want to read the report in its entirety. I'll have a bit more after the break.
<<...>>
While the origin of this cluster of H275Y bearing H5N1 viruses remains unclear, the good news is these viruses (at least, back in 2024) showed diminished virulence (in BALB/c mice).
But as we saw with seasonal H1N1 in 2008, `fitness penalties' can be offset by permissive mutations elsewhere in the NA, which is why we follow reports like this one with interest.
D1.1 isn't the only genotype of concern, and new genotypes will undoubtedly emerge in the future. Most will be evolutionary failures, but the success of B3.13 and D1.1 remind us there are exceptions.
Even if widespread oseltamivir resistance doesn't emerge, our antiviral stockpile is limited, and we've previously seen problems getting them to patients during the first critical 48 hours of infection (see Sporadic Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) Shortages Reported In U.S. & Canada).
Once again, our first line of defense will likely rely heavily on NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions), like face masks, hand washing, ventilation, staying home while sick, and avoiding crowds.
Which is why I'm recommending that people seriously consider now (see #Natlprep 2025: Personal Pandemic Preparedness) what they will do if another pandemic virus should embark on a new world tour.
Press release follows clip. Salt Lake Tribune https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/07/10/box-elder-county-warns-against-raw/ >>
At least half of the county’s dairy cows have been impacted by the disease.
Box Elder County officials are urging residents to skip raw milk as bird flu spreads through the area.
In a Thursday announcement, the county reported that at least 50% of its dairy cows have been “impacted” by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — commonly referred to as bird flu — and farmers are seeing severe losses to their milk production. The county did not immediately specify what “impacted” meant.
Through declaring a state of emergency, the county said it is able to coordinate with state and federal partners for help responding to the situation. Box Elder County first found bird flu in a local milk sample sometime around June 25, according to the news release.
Though the county said the public doesn’t face any threat from consuming pasteurized dairy products, it warned people to avoid raw milk “as it may contain HPAI for several weeks when stored in the refrigerator.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who consume raw milk infected with bird flu may risk becoming infected with the disease. The risk level, the agency’s website says, is unknown.
If someone does come down with bird flu, the CDC says their symptoms could range from things like eye irritation and headaches to more serious symptoms like seizures and difficulty breathing, depending on the severity of their case.
People infected with the disease can also face life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, sepsis and respiratory failure.
In dairy cows, symptoms of bird flu include decreased appetite, lower milk production and an “unhappy, lethargic” appearance, according to Box Elder County.
In cattle herds impacted by bird flu, the county says less than 10-20% of the cows typically get sick, and less than 2% would be expected to die. Still, officials warn that roughly 10% of cows sick with bird flu never fully bounce back to producing the level of milk that they did before they were infected.
Herds with bird flu must quarantine for up to 90 days, according to the county. Dairy owners looking to test their milk for bird flu can submit samples to Utah State University’s Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
According to Utah’s Department of Agriculture and Food, dairies in Weber and Cache Counties are also facing quarantines.<<
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BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — July 9, 2026 — The Box Elder County Commission has declared a local state of emergency in response to the ongoing impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) affecting dairy cattle in Box Elder County.
The declaration allows Box Elder County to coordinate resources, support local agricultural producers, and work closely with state and federal partners as response efforts continue.
Beginning on or about June 25, 2026, a sample from a dairy farm in Box Elder County tested positive for HPAI. The pathogen has caused severe milk production loss and has impacted at least 50% of the dairy cows in Box Elder County and almost 50% of the dairy farms in the county, requiring the quarantine of affected dairy farms and dairy cows. The quarantine of animals and continued monitoring is required for up to 90 days for the pathogen to be removed from infected herds.
The declaration recognizes the need for continued monitoring, implementation of personal protective equipment and biosecurity measures on infected farms, and coordinated response efforts to support local dairy producers and protect the agricultural community.<< more at link