In 2025, the world is facing a new surge of H5N1, also known as avian flu, and it’s starting to make its presence felt across both animals and humans. In this latest video from MedCram, Dr. Seheult offers an update on the situation, providing essential insights into the growing concern surrounding this highly contagious strain of influenza.
What is H5N1 and How Is It Spreading?
H5N1 is a strain of avian influenza that primarily affects birds but can also be transmitted to mammals, including cows. While the virus hasn’t yet caused widespread human-to-human transmission, its presence in various animal populations is escalating. Notably, H5N1 has been found to not only affect poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, but also dairy cows, where it causes fatigue and impacts milk production. This is troubling for the agricultural industry, as the virus affects both milk and dairy production.
The spread is alarming as H5N1 continues to infiltrate various states in the United States. According to the USDA, the highest levels of activity are being reported on the coasts, particularly in Ohio — the second-largest egg producer in the U.S. (Iowa remains the largest). However, the situation could be escalating further. Recently, the virus was detected in Iowa’s backyard flocks, raising concerns about how quickly it might spread to the largest egg-producing region in the nation.
When H5N1 is detected on a farm, affected poultry flocks are culled to prevent further spread. This drastic measure significantly impacts food production, particularly eggs, which have already seen rising prices due to this outbreak.
The Human Impact of H5N1
While human infections with H5N1 have been relatively rare, there is growing concern about the virus’s potential to mutate and spread more easily between humans. As of early 2025, there have been around 65 reported human cases in the United States, most of which were attributed to contact with infected cattle during milking. A few severe cases have been linked to exposure to poultry, but these remain exceptions.
The first death in the U.S. from H5N1 occurred in January 2025, involving an individual over the age of 65 who had contracted the virus from a backyard flock. This case highlights that H5N1 is not confined to farm settings and can spread through wild birds as well, increasing the risk of human exposure.
Currently, health authorities have emphasized that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1. This remains a critical factor in preventing the virus from becoming a pandemic. Without this crucial mutation, the virus can only spread between animals and humans in rare cases. But experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the more infections occur, the higher the risk of a mutation that could lead to human-to-human transmission.
Vaccine Development and Preparedness
In terms of preparedness, the U.S. is moving forward with vaccine development. There are three existing H5N1 vaccines, but these are based on older strains and may not be fully effective against the current virus circulating in poultry and cows. The vaccines developed so far rely on traditional methods, such as using eggs for production, although newer versions may not require eggs, which could ease production and cost issues amid the egg price surge.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has invested significant resources into accelerating the development of mRNA vaccines tailored to H5N1. On January 17, 2025, the HHS announced a $590 million funding boost to mRNA-based vaccine development. The aim is to create vaccines that are better matched to current strains of H5N1, which are affecting birds and cows. While this funding shows promise, there are still challenges ahead. With 330 million people in the U.S., the available vaccines may be insufficient, and it is unclear whether mRNA vaccines will be rolled out nationwide or targeted only at high-risk populations, such as farm workers and people in close contact with poultry.
What’s Next for H5N1 and the Global Response?
The future remains uncertain, but experts are monitoring the situation closely. If the virus continues to spread and potentially mutates, we could see a new, more dangerous strain of H5N1 capable of human-to-human transmission. The rapid development of vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines, could help mitigate this risk, but the challenge remains in how quickly these vaccines can be mass-produced and distributed.
In the meantime, other preventive measures are in place to reduce the spread of the virus. These include safety protocols for people working in close proximity to poultry and dairy animals, as well as research into how environmental factors, like sunlight and other immune-boosting strategies, could help in preventing the spread of viruses like H5N1.
As we’ve seen in the past with pandemics, a multifaceted approach is needed. Experts continue to advocate for a “Swiss Cheese” model, where various interventions, such as vaccines, public health measures, and research into potential treatments, can work together to reduce the
The H5N1 surge in 2025 is a reminder of how quickly viruses can emerge and cause disruptions across both the agricultural and healthcare sectors. While there is no current evidence of widespread human-to-human transmission, the spread of the virus in animals and the development of new vaccines are critical areas to watch in the coming months. As we continue to battle emerging infectious diseases, preparedness, vigilance, and ongoing research will be key to preventing a global health crisis.
LINKS / REFERENCES:
Avian flu strikes more poultry farms, prompts more state measures and warnings (University of Minnesota) | https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-infl…
Confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Commercial and Backyard Flocks (USDA) | https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-…
Influenza Surge: Review of Flu Vaccines, Sunlight, NAC, and Medications (MedCram) | 
• Influenza Surge: Review of Flu Vaccin…
Treat a Fever? Flu and COVID Update (MedCram) | • Treat a Fever? Flu and COVID Update