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First Case of H7N9 Bird Flu Strain in US since 2017 (March 17th, 2025)

First Case of H7N9 Bird Flu Strain in US since 2017 (March 17th, 2025)

UDSA unveiled details of the $1 billion plan to help combat the bird flu outbreak and lower egg prices

Jennifer H
March 17, 2025

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Hi 👋

The biggest headline from the last week is “The United States reported its first outbreak of the deadly H7N9 bird flu strain on a commercial farm since 2017, with cases detected in Mississippi. “

You might be wondering, how’s H7N9 different from H5N1? I had the same question.

	H7N9	H5N1
Transmission	Bird-to-human; rare human-to-human; recent outbreak in U.S.	Bird-to-human; very rare human-to-human; detected in mammals, raising concerns
Mortality Rate	~30%	~60%
Pandemic Risk	Higher risk due to potential adaptation for human spread	High concern due to severity; recent mammal infections increase risk
Symptoms	Fever, cough, pneumonia, multi-organ failure	Similar, but often more severe
Overall Risk	Greater risk of human adaptation	Higher fatality, but limited spread

Before we move on to the rest of the round-up, a little ad break 😊

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Latest Developments

The United States reported its first outbreak of the deadly H7N9 bird flu strain on a commercial farm since 2017, with cases detected in Mississippi. [Source]
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned of the "unprecedented" global spread of HPAI H5N1, calling for urgent coordinated action to control the outbreak and prevent further viral evolution. [Source] [Source]
Two house cats in New York City have died after contracting the bird flu virus, marking the first known pet deaths linked to the current outbreak. Health officials have traced the infections to a specific raw cat food product called Savage Cat Food. [Source]
A mutation associated with increased disease severity has been detected in the virus samples from the two infected NYC cats, raising concerns about the virus's potential to adapt and become more virulent.Since the beginning of this year, more than 50 cats have been infected with H5N1 bird flu. [Source]

Scientific Research & Developments

A new study found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus may survive the aging process in raw milk cheese, raising food safety concerns. The virus remained infectious even after 90 days of aging. [Source]
Recent studies suggest that existing H5N1 vaccines may provide better protection for children and younger adults compared to older adults due to differences in prior influenza exposure and immune responses. [Source]
Baylor College of Medicine experts: It's time to vaccinate cows, poultry and their caretakers for bird flu [Source]

Public Health Updates

While human cases remain limited, health authorities warn that the widespread circulation of HPAI viruses in bird populations increases the risk of zoonotic transmission to humans. Close monitoring is underway. [Source]
New bird flu outbreaks have been reported in commercial poultry operations in Buena Vista County, Iowa [Source] and backyard flocks in Dallas County, Iowa. [Source]
Cases were also detected in live poultry markets in Philadelphia [Source] and among wild birds in northwest Iowa [Source] and northern Victoria, Australia, leading to temporary duck hunting restrictions. [Source]
The first case of HPAI H5N1 in domestic poultry was confirmed in New Brunswick, Canada. [Source]

Economic Impacts

The UDSA unveiled a $1 billion plan to help combat the bird flu outbreak and lower egg prices for consumers amid supply disruptions. The five main points of the strategy include up to $500 million in investments for biosecurity measures, up to $400 million in financial relief for farms affected by disease, up to $100 million for vaccine and egg protection methods, action to reduce regulatory burdens, and exploring temporary import options. [Source]
Poultry and egg supplies continue to be impacted, with some countries like Poland seeing a rebound in its egg industry despite the raging outbreak. [Source]
California plans to ban poultry and dairy exhibitions as a preventive measure against further viral spread. [Source]
Continued outbreaks in commercial poultry operations are disrupting supply chains and driving up egg prices in affected regions like California. [Source]

Wildlife & Pet Safety

The virus is rapidly spreading across Antarctica, posing a severe threat to the region's wildlife, especially penguin colonies. [Source]
A bald eagle found in Cortlandt, New York tested positive for avian influenza and had to be euthanized. [Source]
The FDA issued a recall for certain Savage raw chicken cat food products due to potential bird flu contamination after several cats in New York became ill, with two fatalities linked to the food. [Source]