Are any cases of avian influenza in the United States?
At the current time, the H5N1 strain of global concern has not been detected in either birds or humans in the U.S. However, if the H5N1 strain is detected in the U.S., it does not mean that a human pandemic has begun, or will begin. For a pandemic to occur, the virus must be easily transmitted from person to person. At this time, the H5N1 avian influenza strain of concern does not have that ability. Federal and State bird monitoring is ongoing as the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture, and Michigan State University routinely sample migratory waterfowl and domestic poultry for the H5N1 virus. The enhanced monitoring of live bird markets, commercial flocks, backyard flocks and migratory bird populations will provide an early warning to agriculture, wildlife and public health officials.
