Bird flu continues to advance across farms, wildlife, and even household settings. Nearly 200,000 turkeys have been culled in South Dakota and North Dakota, an early and troubling sign ahead of fall migration. Europe has seen outbreaks reemerge in Portugal and Germany, while Canada confirmed its first commercial poultry cases in months. In the United States, the FDA linked a cat’s fatal infection to contaminated pet food, and health officials remain unable to explain an earlier pediatric case in California. New H9N2 infections in Chinese children and zoo closures in India underscore how avian influenza is persisting, adapting, and expanding its reach.
Dakotas Hit Hard: Nearly 200,000 Turkeys Culled
South Dakota and North Dakota are at the forefront of the fall H5N1 bird flu season, with a combined 195,200 turkeys culled in response to recent confirmed outbreaks. South Dakota has reported three commercial infections since August 28—in Faulk (55,400 birds), Beadle (52,600), and McPherson (26,900) counties—totaling 134,900 birds. North Dakota has confirmed one major outbreak with 60,300 turkeys culled. The early timing is raising concern among officials. “I have not seen any information so far that major wild bird migrations have started,” said South Dakota’s state veterinarian Beth Thompson. “That is not a good sign” (Haiar, 2025).
H5N1 Returns to Poultry in Portugal and Germany; Wild Bird Cases in Netherlands and Norway
Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has reappeared in commercial poultry flocks in Portugal and Germany for the first time since winter. In Portugal, an outbreak was confirmed on September 2 in a flock of 257,650 fattening ducks in Samora Correia, where 1,011 birds died and the rest were culled. In Germany, H5N1 was detected in a laying hen flock in Hadenfeld, resulting in 100 bird deaths and the culling of 2,700 hens. Both outbreaks are of unknown origin. Separately, wild bird surveillance in the Netherlands detected H5N1 in three dead birds found in Veere, Velsen, and the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone. In Norway, two seabird cases were confirmed (Graber, 2025a).
FDA Links Raw Cat Food to H5N1 Infection in San Francisco Cat
The FDA confirmed H5N1 avian influenza in Rawr Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats following the illness and euthanasia of a cat in San Francisco. Genetic sequencing linked the virus in both the cat and food sample to the B3.13 H5N1 genotype—previously detected in dairy cows and poultry farms. The contaminated product was sold nationally and included two affected lots with 2026 expiration dates. The FDA noted all three samples—cat, open food, and a separate product lot—were genetically related and traced to a common contamination source. No human cases have been reported. Rawr has since removed the implicated lots and criticized the FDA for delayed communication (Schnirring, 2025b).
California Child’s H5N1 Infection Still Unexplained, Investigation Finds No Animal Exposure
U.S. health officials have not identified the source of a prior H5N1 avian influenza case in a California child, according to an investigation in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The child developed fever, abdominal pain, and conjunctivitis in December 2024. Sequencing confirmed H5N1 belonging to the B3.13 genotype, previously detected in dairy cattle, wild birds, and poultry. The family lived in an urban area, had no livestock, and reported no direct exposure to infected animals. Despite contact tracing, no evidence of human-to-human transmission was found. Officials now believe environmental exposure—such as time spent outdoors at school—may have been the source. The exact route remains unknown (Schnirring, 2025c).
Four New H9N2 Avian Flu Cases Confirmed in Chinese Children
China confirmed four new human H9N2 cases, all young boys from different provinces, aged 1, 2, 2, and 6. This brings the mainland’s total to 19 H9N2 cases in the past six months, with at least 13 involving children. Most infections are mild, but severe cases have been documented. By comparison, China reported 11 cases in all of 2024 (Soucheray, 2025).
HPAI Returns to Commercial Poultry in Canada After Four-Month Absence
Canadian officials confirmed the reemergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry after a four-month hiatus. Two flocks in Alberta—one in Strathcona County and another in Beaver County—tested positive on September 8, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). These are Alberta’s first 2025 detections; the last was in November 2024 (Graber, 2025b).
CDC: H5N1 May Infect via Gut, but Foodborne Risk Remains Low
The CDC issued new guidance indicating that avian influenza A (H5N1) may infect mammals, including humans, via the gastrointestinal tract. While overall foodborne risk remains low, evidence from animal studies shows infections linked to raw meat and unpasteurized milk. Laboratory findings suggest certain influenza A viruses can replicate in human digestive tissues. No human infections have been definitively traced to food, but the CDC advises avoiding raw milk and undercooked products (CDC, 2025).
Georgia Reports New H5N1 Case in Backyard Flock
On September 3, H5N1 was confirmed in a 45-bird backyard flock in Henry County, Georgia—the state’s second backyard case this year. The flock experienced sudden deaths on August 29, prompting a rapid USDA-APHIS response with depopulation and disinfection. Officials believe the virus likely spread via wild birds or contaminated environments (Shipp, 2025).
H5N1 Outbreak Shutters Delhi Zoo
Delhi’s National Zoological Park closed after confirmation of H5N1 avian influenza, with 15 bird deaths including painted storks, ibises, and migratory storks. The outbreak, first detected August 28, prompted strict biosecurity measures, twice-daily disinfection, and a 21-day containment period. Public entry was halted and staff are being screened (Mathew, 2025a; Mathew, 2025b).
Third Backyard Bird Flu Case of 2025 Confirmed in Maryland’s Anne Arundel County
A backyard flock in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, tested presumptive positive for H5N1. This marks the third detection in the county this year, following earlier cases in March and May. The property has been quarantined as part of disease control protocol (Maryland Department of Agriculture, 2025).
H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in Devon and Somerset, UK
On August 28th, H5N1 was confirmed in captive birds in Somerset (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2025a). On August 31st, a separate case was confirmed nearby in Devon (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2025b). These cases are part of a wider summer spike in UK detections—an unusual pattern for this time of year (Schnirring, 2025a).
References
CDC. (2025, September 8). Influenza A Viruses May Infect GI Tract and Cause Digestive Symptoms. Avian Influenza (Bird Flu).
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/influenza-gi-tract-09082025.html
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2025a, August 28). Bird flu: near Evercreech, Frome and East Somerset, Somerset (AIV 2025/60). GOV.UK.
https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/bird-flu-near-evercreech-frome-and-east-somerset-somerset-aiv-2025-slash-60
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2025b, August 31). Bird flu: near Exminster, Teignbridge, Devon (AIV2025/61). GOV.UK.
https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/bird-flu-near-exminster-teignbridge-devon-aiv2025-slash-61
Graber, R. (2025a, September 4). H5N1 avian flu returns to poultry in Portugal, Germany. WATTPoultry.com.
https://www.wattagnet.com/poultry-meat/diseases-health/avian-influenza/news/15754536/h5n1-avian-flu-returns-to-poultry-in-portugal-germany
Graber, R. (2025b, September 9). Avian influenza returns to Canadian poultry. WATTPoultry.com.
https://www.wattagnet.com/poultry-meat/diseases-health/avian-influenza/news/15755000/avian-influenza-returns-to-canadian-poultry
Haiar, J. (2025, September 10). South Dakota at “leading edge” of bird flu season with more than 100,000 turkeys killed in response. South Dakota Searchlight.
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/south-dakota-at-leading-edge-of-bird-flu-season-with-more-than-100000-turkeys-killed-in-response/
Maryland Department of Agriculture. (2025). Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Third Anne Arundel County Backyard Flock in 2025. Maryland.gov.
https://news.maryland.gov/mda/bird-flu/2025/09/10/preliminary-testing-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-third-anne-arundel-county-backyard-flock-in-2025/
Mathew, S. (2025a, August 29). Bird flu hits Delhi zoo: Visitor entry stopped, containment protocol kicks in. The Indian Express.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-zoo-shut-bird-flu-outbreak-safety-10218082/
Mathew, S. (2025b, September). Bird flu death toll rises to 15 at zoo in Delhi, more samples test positive. The Indian Express.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/bird-flu-death-toll-rises-to-15-at-zoo-in-delhi-more-samples-test-positive-10225083/lite/
Schnirring, L. (2025a, August 11). H5N1 avian flu detections pick up in UK poultry. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/h5n1-avian-flu-detections-pick-uk-poultry
Schnirring, L. (2025b, September 4). FDA warns of H5N1 avian flu detection in raw cat food. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/fda-warns-h5n1-avian-flu-detection-raw-cat-food
Schnirring, L. (2025c, September 5). Earlier H5N1 detection adds to Texas dairy herd total; researchers can’t explain pediatric case. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/earlier-h5n1-detection-adds-texas-dairy-herd-total-researchers-cant
Shipp, H. (2025). New Avian Influenza Case Confirmed in Backyard Flock in Georgia. AG Information Network of the West.
https://www.aginfo.net/report/63468/Southeast-Regional-Ag-News/New-Avian-Influenza-Case-Confirmed-in-Backyard-Flock-in-Georgia
Soucheray, S. (2025, September 9). Four More H9N2 Avian Flu Cases Confirmed in China. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/four-more-h9n2-avian-flu-cases-confirmed-china