First H7N9 Bird Flu Outbreak Since 2017 Reported in US Poultry Farm

The United States has confirmed its first outbreak of the deadly H7N9 bird flu in a poultry farm since 2017, adding to concerns as the country battles the ongoing spread of another bird flu strain, H5N1. The outbreak was detected on a commercial broiler breeder farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, affecting 47,654 chickens, according to a report by the World Animal Health Organisation (WOAH).

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has severely impacted poultry farms worldwide, leading to supply disruptions and rising food prices. The spread of the virus to mammals, including dairy cows in the US, has raised fears about the potential for a new pandemic.

While the H5N1 strain has caused significant losses in poultry and resulted in one human death in the US, the H7N9 virus has historically had a high fatality rate among humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since its first detection in China in 2013, H7N9 has infected 1,568 people globally, causing 616 deaths—equating to a 39% mortality rate. However, WHO states that neither H7N9 nor H5N1 currently transmit easily between humans.

The latest outbreak comes amid continued efforts by US authorities to control bird flu. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed $1 billion to contain the spread, though previous disruptions in federal response efforts during the early Trump administration affected coordination with state health officials.