What to know about the latest bird flu outbreak in the US

Recent outbreaks of avian flu have been reported in various locations including a Michigan poultry facility, a Texas egg producer, and notably in dairy cows, marking a concerning spread of the virus and including the first known case of a human contracting bird flu from a mammal. Despite these developments, health officials, such as CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, assert that the public risk remains low, though precautions are advised for farmworkers. The virus, Type A H5N1, has been present since 1959 and has evolved to affect different species globally. In the U.S., it has led to the culling of millions of chickens, affecting wild birds, commercial, and backyard poultry. The recent cases in livestock and a human linked to cow contact have heightened concerns about potential economic impacts on the egg and beef markets, especially noted during the busy Easter season when egg demand spikes. Although nearly 2 million birds were culled in Texas, the U.S. egg supply has remained stable, but the bird flu's spread could lead to higher consumer prices and reputational damage for affected industries.