CDC Deactivates H5N1 Emergency, Maintains Vigilance Amid Shifting Bird Flu Landscape

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deactivated its emergency response to the H5N1 bird flu, marking a significant shift in the national approach to the virus. According to the CDC, this decision was made on July 2, 2025, after a sustained decline in animal infections and no new human cases in the US reported since February. The agency emphasized that while the emergency phase has ended, routine surveillance and monitoring will continue within the CDC’s influenza division to remain vigilant for any resurgence.

Dr. Nirav Shah, formerly a principal deputy director at the CDC, explained that the move reflects the current lower risk to public health, stating that the response can be rapidly ramped up again if new cases emerge. H5N1, identified in the late 1990s, has caused sporadic global outbreaks. Since 2022, it has affected nearly 175 million birds in the US and spread to wild and domestic animals, as well as over 1,000 cattle herds across 17 states. In all, 70 human cases have been recorded in the US, with just one fatality. Most US human cases were mild and involved those working in close contact with infected poultry or livestock.

US health officials continue to stress that the risk to the general population remains low, but they encourage those working with birds or dairy cattle to take precautions. States such as Rhode Island are providing free personal protective equipment to farm workers and conducting surveillance in animals, raw milk, and wastewater.

Globally, the situation remains mixed. Cambodia is currently experiencing a surge in H5N1 infections, reporting 12 human cases this year—including seven in just under a month—most in children and those exposed to sick poultry. The Ministry of Health in Cambodia confirmed the latest case, involving a five-year-old boy who fell ill after contact with chickens. This surge has drawn attention from neighboring countries such as Thailand, which has increased its monitoring measures despite having no new domestic human cases in nearly 20 years.

Worldwide, nearly 1,000 human cases have been reported in 2025, with a concerning 48 percent fatality rate, though most outbreaks remain limited to those with direct animal exposure. Experts caution that while the public health threat is currently low, ongoing vigilance and prompt reporting remain critical, especially given the virus’s history of seasonal spikes in the fall and winter.

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