Five new avian flu outbreaks confirmed in ducks, turkeys in 3 US states

News brief
Topics
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Ducks
Andew-M-Whitman / Flickr cc

Yesterday, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed five more avian flu outbreaks in three states.

Indiana reported three outbreaks involving a duck farm in Elkhart County affecting nearly 21,000 birds, a 10-bird backyard flock in Johnson County, and a duck breeding facility in Lagrange County affecting 4,800 birds.

In Michigan, 113,000 birds were affected in an outbreak on a turkey farm in Ottawa County, the state's third detection in commercial turkeys in less than a week. And Washington reported an outbreak affecting nine poultry in Snohomish County.

In the past month, APHIS has noted avian flu in 32 commercial flocks and 35 backyard flocks, affecting a total of 3.72 million birds.

Quick takes: Whooping cough in Texas, polio in 2 nations, Canada Salmonella outbreak

News brief
Topics
Pertussis
Polio
Salmonella
  • The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) this week said provisional data show a significant increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases this year. According to the data, the state had more than 3,500 reported pertussis cases through October, a fourfold increase from the same period last year. It's the second consecutive year Texas has experienced sharp year-over-year increases in pertussis. Approximately 85% of the cases have occurred in children. "Parents should ensure children are up-to-date on pertussis immunizations, and pregnant women and others who will be around newborns should get a booster dose to protect babies from what can be a deadly infection," DSHS said in a health alert.
  • Two countries reported circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases this week, according to the latest update from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Nigeria confirmed a cVDPV2 case in Kaduna province with onset of paralysis of July 18, bringing its total number of cases this year to 45. Papua New Guinea reported a case in Morobe province with paralysis onset on August 28, raising its 2025 cVDPV2 total to 5 cases. GPEI also noted that 2 billion doses of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 have now been administered around the world as part of efforts to curb cVDPV2 outbreaks.
  • Another recall has been issued in a Canadian Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios and pistachio-containing products, Food Safety News reports. The recall of non-branded Dubai-style chocolate sold at Juice Dudez locations in Canada brings the total number of items recalled in the outbreak to 48. The Public Health Agency of Canada says the outbreak has sickened 117 people, 17 of whom have been hospitalized, but it is likely much larger since people with mild symptoms don't get tested. Many people who became sick reported eating pistachios or pistachio-containing products. 

This week's top reads

  1. Deadly multistate Listeria outbreak tied to prepared pasta meals expands

    Seven new illnesses and 2 additional deaths have been confirmed in the outbreak, which has grown to 27 cases and 6 deaths.

    Chris Dall

  2. Review: Human H5N1 avian flu cases can be asymptomatic, and the virus likely spreads among people

    The findings highlight a critical gap in many national and global H5N1 surveillance systems.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Person feeding chickens by hand

  3. New coronavirus subspecies with SARS-CoV-2–like mutation discovered in Brazilian bat

    The bat harbored the BRZ batCoV virus, which the researchers say has likely been silently circulating in Latin America for some time.

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. CIDRAP Op-Ed: Vaccine effectiveness and safety: What the numbers truly mean in 2025

    Our systematic review published this week shows that rigorous, transparent evidence synthesis can persist even when traditional advisory processes falter.

    Jake Scott, MD
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  5. US hot spots see more measles cases

    In Israel, 2 vaccinated doctors have contracted the virus after treating an infected child.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles boy

  6. CDC: Salmonella outbreak linked to powder supplement

    So far 11 people in 7 states have been sickened. 

    Stephanie Soucheray

  7. Some common viruses may steeply raise risk of cardiovascular disease

    The authors noted that viral infections trigger the immune system to release substances that lead to inflammation and increase the risk of blood clots.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    SARS-CoV-2 illustration

  8. Suspected measles case-patient refuses testing in Salt Lake County

    Prior to this year, there had only been 1 confirmed measles case in Utah since 2020.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  9. Kids exposed to COVID in utero may be at higher risk for autism, other brain problems

    But the overall odds are likely low and may well have ebbed since the pandemic peak. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Pregnant woman sitting on bed

  10. Support for measles vaccination drops amid growing confusion about the disease, US poll shows

    Among US adults, 23% say RFK Jr recommends that kids should get the measles vaccine, 29% say he does not recommend it, and 48% aren't sure.

    Jim Wappes
    Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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