Current Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Outbreak

In 2022, the avian influenza A virus H5N1 was first identified in wild birds and domestic poultry flocks in the United States. This virus has continued to infect wild and domestic birds since 2022 and has also been detected in more than 200 mammals in the U.S. In 2024, this virus was found in goats and cattle and a multi-state outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) was reported.

• A small number of human cases of H5N1 were identified in dairy workers that had contact with sick cattle. These individuals had mild illness, including red or watery eyes (conjunctivitis), or cough.

On this page:
Human health protection
Poultry or dairy farm workers resources
Small backyard flock or herd resources
Health care provider information
I am a veterinarian. Has influenza A(H5N1) affected companion animals?
 

Human health protection

MDH serves as a source of information for the public on any risk to people. From the time this strain of the virus began circulating in wild birds in 2022, MDH has coordinated with animal health agencies, local public health, and industry to identify, protect, and monitor the health of poultry workers and others in direct contact with infected birds for 10 days after their last exposure.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending PPE for those who work with any infected or potentially infected animals. Farmers, workers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and responders should wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, eye protection, and gloves, and perform thorough hand washing after contact with poultry or animals.

CDC: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Animals: Interim Recommendations for Prevention, Monitoring, and Public Health Investigations

Avian Influenza A(H5N1) is primarily an occupational hazard that impacts workers in the poultry and dairy industries.

• Currently, H5N1 avian influenza is a low health risk to the public as person-to-person transmission of avian influenza viruses is very rare.
• As part of the current H5N1 response, CDC has asked state health departments to make personal protective equipment (PPE) available for a one-time distribution to workers in industries who may have exposure to influenza A(H5N1). 
  Read the full letter to workers in the dairy, poultry, milk processing, poultry and beef slaughter industries and learn how to request your PPE.
  • May 17, 2024, Letter to workers in the dairy, poultry, milk processing, poultry and beef slaughter industries (PDF)
• We recognize that these recommendations may be challenging to implement in many settings, and we encourage workers to work with their managers and supervisors to determine what PPE is appropriate.
• People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw milk products, from animals with suspected or confirmed Avian Influenza A(H5N1) infection.

Dairy and Poultry Farm Workers Resources

PPE use is essential for lowering infection risk, as is proper biosecurity. 
More information:

• Stay Healthy - Personal Protective Equipment Information for Dairy and Poultry Workers (PDF)
  • Stay Healthy - Personal Protective Equipment Information for Dairy and Poultry Workers (PDF) (Spanish) 
• Health Information for People in Contact with Dairy Cattle Herds that Tested Positive for Influenza A(H5N1) (PDF)
  • Health Information for People in Contact with Dairy Cattle Herds that Tested Positive for Influenza A(H5N1), Spanish (PDF)
     
• Minnesota Board of Animal Health: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response
• OSHA: Avian Influenza - Overview
• UofM: HPAI Toolkit

Working on the avian influenza A(H5N1) response can be extremely stressful. The following resources may be useful for stress management:

• Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline: (833)-600-2670
  • Or text: FARMSTRESS to 898211
• MN Department of Agriculture: Stress and Crisis: Get Help Now
• MN Department of Agriculture: One-on-one assistance with financial, legal, and social issues
• Minnesota NAMI
• Lake Superior Community Health Center: Rural Mental Health Support Program
• AgCountry Farm Credit Services: Mental Health Resources for Farmers

Small backyard flock or herd resources

For information on how to protect your backyard flock from H5N1, please visit:

• Minnesota Board of Animal Health: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response
• CDC: Backyard Flock Owners: Caring for Yourself and Others
• UofM: HPAI Toolkit

Health care provider information

For more information on human testing for H5N1, visit Information for Health Professionals on Novel Influenza A Viruses.
 

I am a veterinarian. Has influenza A(H5N1) affected companion animals?

For more information on the impact of influenza A and companion animals read Influenza A(H5N1) Infection in Companion Animals: Guidance for Veterinary Clinics from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Board of Animal Health (PDF)