Latest avian flu research from Iowa State University

 

Headline:  Phys Org, 12/4/2025

Dave Roepke reports:

An ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has affected more than 184 million domestic poultry since 2022 and, since making the leap to dairy cattle in spring 2024, more than 1,000 milking cow herds. 

A new study led by Iowa State University researchers shows that the mammary glands of several other production animals—including pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle and alpacas—are biologically suitable to harbor avian influenza, due to high levels of sialic acids. 

"The main thing we wanted to understand in this study is whether there is potential for transmission among these other domestic mammals and humans, and it looks like there is," said Rahul Nelli, the study's lead author and a research assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine.  [emphasis added]

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December 2025

Michigan DNR sends out an avian flu advisory to waterfowl hunters.  (12/6)

Avian flu kills scores of geese in rural Manitoba Canada.  (12/6)

Canadian province of Alberta deals with worse outbreak of avian flu in years.  (12/6)

Avian flu is a global concern.  (12/5)

Massive outbreak of avian flu in Europe during past week.  (12/3)

North Carolina, Ontario, Indiana, and British Columbia on todays avian flu hit parade. (12/2)

Around the world with avian flu.  (12/1)

Edmunds County South Dakota reports two cases of avian flu in less than a week.  (12/1)

November 15-30, 2025

Avian flu detected in wild birds all over Michigan.  (11/30)

4 Ontario poultry farms hit by avian flu in past 2 weeks.  (11/30)

Indiana-based poultry company uses inflatables to shoo away wild birds.  (11/26)

52 poultry flocks in Indiana infected by avian flu so far in 2025.  (11/25)

Washington State reports 3 more cases of avian flu.  (11/24)

First human death from H5N5 strain of avian flu reported in Washington State.  (11/23)

South Dakota reports 17th case of avian flu in 2025.  (11/23)

North Carolina reports first case of avian flu since January.  (11/21)

Widespread outbreaks of avian flu in Europe.  (11/17)

Avian flu wipeout in LaGrange County Indiana.  (11/17)

Bird flu spreads while Trump fiddles  and Dept of Ag secretary  Brooke Rollins poses with chickens.  (11/16)

November 1-15, 2025

Avian flu devastates herd of elephant seals on sub-Antarctic island.  (11/14)

Ottawa County Michigan reports 2 more cases of avian flu, bringing its 2025 total to 8. (11/14)

Avian flu taking a toll in Germany.  (11/13)

Wild birds are spreading avian flu across the United States.  (11/13)

Monitoring the health of poultry through their water consumption.  (11/12)

Another Michigan turkey flock infected with avian flu.  (11/11)

British Columbia ostrich farm loses appeal, 400 birds infected with avian flu depopulated.  (11/11)

]5 swans die of avian flu in Bristol, England.  (11/11)

Germany reports 66 cases of avian flu since October 1.  (11/10)

Avian flu alert in Missouri.  (11/7)

Two recent cases of avian flu in Ottawa County, Michigan.  (11/7)

Japan reports third confirmed outbreak of avian flu this season.  (11/6)

More turkey flocks infected with avian flu in North Dakota and South Dakota.  (11/5)

That raw cheese you're eating might be infected with bird flu virus.  (11/4)

Avian flu infects turkey flock in Michigan.  (11/4)

Four cases of avian flu hit western Canada.  (11/3)

You're right if you think there's been a lot of birds killed by avian flu during the past 2 months.  (11/1)

October 2025

Avian flu hits duck breeder farm in California. (10/29)

139,000 chickens fall victim to avian flu in Georgia.  (10/28)

Avian flu kills elephant seals on Heard Island south of Australia.  (10/25)

Widespread avian flu infections of wild birds in the United States.  (10/24)

Minnesota boosts its 2025 avian flu tally to 20.  (10/23)

Yet another case of avian flu confirmed in Minnesota, bringing total to 19 so far in 2025.  (10/22)

Indiana reports more cases of avian flu.  (10/21)

Quebec reports 4th case of avian flu in 2025.  (10/17)

Three more Minnesota turkey flocks affected by avian flu, bringing 2025 tally to 18 .  (10/16)

Two cases of avian flu reported in Manitoba on consecutive days.  (10/14)

Multiple reports of avian flu including two flocks in Washington State affecting more than 2,200,000 hens.  (10/13)

Bird flu detected in goose at Gibson Park in Great Falls Montana.  (10/12)

Avian flu threat results in cancellation of WIsconsin poultry show.  (10/11)

Avian flu hits two more turkey flock in Minnesota.  (10/10)

Avian flu hits Michigan turkey flock.  (10/9)

Avian flu hits Iowa turkey flock.  (10/7) 

175,000,000 birds have fallen victim to avian flu in United States since 2022.  (10/6)

Migrating season brings a return of avian flu to Iowa.  (10/3)

Jefferson County Wisconsin reports second case of avian flu in less than a week.  (10/3)

September 2025

That Jefferson County Wisconsin farm lost more than 3 million laying hens.  (9/30)

Avian flu claims an historical first death:  Whooping crane.  (9/29)

Wisconsin reports first 2025 commercial case of avian flu in poultry flock without providing any specifics.  (9/29)

Utah in 4th year of avian flu outbreak. (9/27)

Minnesota reports 55,000 cases of avian flu in 3 turkey flocks.  (9/26)

Expect higher prices for your Thanksgiving turkey this year.  (9/26)

South Dakota continues to be hit hard by avian flu.  (9/21)

Minnesota reports avian flu in flock of tom turkeys.  (9/19)

Nebraska reports its first known case of avian flu in dairy herd.  (9/17)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports 4 cases of avian flu in Alberta but otherwise remains mum.  (9/17)

South Dakota reports additional cases of avian flu in turkey flocks.  (9/14)

Must be Kristi Noem's bad karma and her Corey Lewandowski hook-up:  South Dakota is ground zero for avian flu so far this fall.  (9/10)

Avian flu is not going away:  Texas records U.S. case #1079 since January 2024.  (9/9)

April-August 2025

You've heard of avian flu, right?  How about Marek's disease?  (8/7)

Public relations news:  Not a good year so far for chickens and eggs.  (6/13)

USDA secretary Brooke Rollins poses with chickens while keeping key department positions unfilled.  (4/11)