Reports reveal that H5N1 continues to surface across regions and species. The UK elevated its national risk level after an unusual summer surge in outbreaks, the U.S. confirmed a new case in a Los Angeles live-bird market, and Argentina’s first commercial outbreak of the year prompted immediate trade bans from China and South Korea. At the same time, Canadian ostriches became the center of a legal battle over culling, and India and Bulgaria reported farm detections. These developments underscore how H5N1 is pressuring agriculture, trade, and public health well beyond seasonal norms.
UK Elevates Bird Flu Risk Level as Outbreaks Surge in Wildlife and Poultry
On August 20, the UK raised its avian flu risk level after a spike in H5N1 outbreaks in wild birds and poultry (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 2025). DEFRA now rates the risk as high for wild birds, medium for poorly protected poultry, and low for well-biosecured farms (Wild, 2025). Ten commercial outbreaks were confirmed in two weeks across Devon, Norfolk, Somerset, and County Durham—an unusual summer surge tied to migratory routes and gamebird farms. England’s Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was updated with mandatory rules for gamebird sites, including daily vehicle disinfection and feeding restrictions (Schnirring, 2025).
H5N1 Detected in Los Angeles Live-Bird Market, First Poultry Case Since July
On August 15, the USDA’s APHIS confirmed a new H5N1 avian flu detection at a live-bird market in Los Angeles County, California, involving 1,400 birds. This marks the first poultry case reported in the United States since early July and California’s first since February (Schnirring, 2025a).
H5N1 Outbreak on Three Bulgarian Farms
On August 26, Bulgarian authorities reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on three farms in the southern town of Rakovski, totaling 28,000 birds. At least two of the affected farms were duck operations, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) (De La Hamaide, 2025).
Dr. Oz Calls to Save B.C. Ostriches Facing Avian Flu Culling
Roughly 400 ostriches at a British Columbia farm are facing imminent culling after Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal upheld a government order tied to an avian flu outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) mandated the destruction of the flock after 69 ostriches died between December and January, with two testing positive for a novel reassortment of H5 avian influenza not previously seen in Canada. Despite surviving for over eight months since the outbreak, the remainder of the flock is considered at risk due to potential viral persistence or mutation. The owners of Universal Ostrich Farms argue the birds are healthy and resilient, challenging what they see as a one-size-fits-all policy unsuited to ostrich biology. But the CFIA cited the need to protect domestic poultry and trade relationships, and current law gives it broad powers to cull animals based on suspected infection alone (Little, 2025). The agency also fined the farm $20,000 earlier this year for failing to comply with quarantine orders, and scientists have warned that asymptomatic birds may still spread the virus (Kulkarni, 2025). U.S. health official Dr. Mehmet Oz has publicly offered to house the birds at his Florida ranch, calling the ostriches “symbols of hope” and advocating for research into their potential natural immunity. The cull remains pending as the legal team for Universal Ostrich Farm seeks intervention from the Supreme Court of Canada (The Canadian Press, 2025).
China and South Korea Suspend Argentine Poultry Imports Amid Avian Flu Outbreak
China and South Korea have suspended poultry imports from Argentina after the country confirmed its first H5N1 outbreak in a commercial flock this year on August 18 in Buenos Aires province. South Korea’s ban applies to shipments loaded after the outbreak, with added testing for goods shipped after August 3 (Na-young, 2025). China halted imports on August 20th—just five months after lifting a two-year ban. While Argentina supplies a small share of both countries’ poultry, the move adds pressure to global supply chains already strained by China’s existing ban on Spanish poultry.
H5N1 Outbreak Confirmed in Two Districts of Uttarakhand, Over 2,000 Birds Culled
On August 20th, Indian news outlet TimesNow reported that H5N1 outbreaks were confirmed in two districts of Uttarakhand, a northern Indian state that borders China and Nepal. In the southern district of Udham Singh Nagar, over 2,000 birds were culled in the town of Kichha following sudden poultry deaths. Samples were sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly, which confirmed H5N1 avian influenza. Authorities sealed a 1-km infected zone, implemented a 10-km surveillance area, and banned poultry transport at the Pulbhata border. In Bageshwar, a remote Himalayan district in eastern Uttarakhand, a similar outbreak led to the culling of all poultry within a 1-km radius and a ban on poultry and egg imports from neighboring regions (Ashima Sharda Mahindra, 2025).
Fall Migration Could Amplify Bird Flu Risk
As fall migration begins, the mixing of wild birds could drive new H5N1 outbreaks. Jacob Reiter, a wildlife scientist at Pace University, explains that birds like warblers and ducks are already heading south through New York, with waterfowl expected to congregate in larger numbers through winter. These gatherings can spread avian flu, especially the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that’s surged across poultry and dairy herds. However, fall poses a lower risk than spring, when birds converge more densely in northward migration (Hammoud, 2025).
AI Tool Identifies Missed Bird Flu Exposure Risks in Maryland Emergency Rooms
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine shows that generative AI can uncover missed bird flu exposure risks in emergency department patients—an innovation that could strengthen U.S. surveillance as H5N1 continues to spread in animals. Published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, the study used GPT-4 Turbo to scan 13,494 ER notes from 2024, flagging 76 cases with mentions of animal exposure; human review confirmed 14 patients had recent contact with poultry, wild birds, or livestock—none were tested for H5N1. The system ran in just 26 minutes at a cost of 3 cents per note, demonstrating its scalability. Lead author Katherine Goodman warned that many infections may go undetected because clinicians aren’t consistently asking about animal exposure (Van Beusekom, 2025); (Kotz, 2025).
Senate Approves $1M to Expand Bird Flu Testing in Minnesota
On August 12th, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith reported that the Senate approved $1 million in funding to expand bird flu testing at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostics Lab in Willmar. The funds will support the purchase of additional PCR machines, upgrades to data systems, and faster diagnostic turnaround times to combat avian influenza and other zoonotic diseases. Senator Amy Klobuchar emphasized the importance of this investment for farmers and the national food supply, while Senator Tina Smith highlighted the economic stress outbreaks place on farm families and trade. The measure awaits approval from the House and presidential signature (Office of Amy Klobuchar, 2025).
British Columbia Funds $2.5M in Poultry Barn Upgrades to Fight Bird Flu
British Columbia is spending $2.5 million to help 75 Fraser Valley poultry farms install air filters and UV light systems to reduce avian flu risks ahead of fall migration. The province’s Novel Tools and Technologies Program offers up to $30,000 per farm. The Fraser Valley has seen 200 outbreaks since 2022 and culled about 9 million birds. The last reported commercial case was in January (Canadian Press, 2025).
References
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/heightened-avian-influenza-risk-warning-issued-to-bird-keepers-and-gamebird-rearers
Ashima Sharda Mahindra. (2025, August 20). H5N1 Avian Influenza: Uttarakhand Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak in Two Districts; Safety and Prevention Guideline. Times Now.
https://www.timesnownews.com/health/h5n1-avian-influenza-uttarakhand-confirms-bird-flu-outbreak-in-two-districts-safety-and-prevention-guidelines-article-152491489
Canadian Press. (2025, August 18). B.C. to fund upgrades to reduce avian flu risk for Fraser Valley poultry farms. NortheastNOW.
https://northeastnow.com/2025/08/18/b-c-to-fund-upgrades-to-reduce-avian-flu-risk-for-fraser-valley-poultry-farms/
De La Hamaide, S. (2025, August 26). Bulgaria reports bird flu outbreak on three farms. Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/bulgaria-reports-bird-flu-outbreak-three-farms-2025-08-26/
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https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/news/2025/generative-ai-uncovers-undetected-bird-flu-exposure-risks-in-maryland-emergency-departments.html
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