Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has caused 71 confirmed human cases across 13 US states since 2024, with ongoing exposure through dairy farms and poultry operations. As of June 2026, cases have been confirmed in California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Three cases involved unknown exposure sources. Two deaths have occurred. CDC considers current risk to the general public as low, but monitors closely for signs of person-to-person transmission. Track Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) activity and outbreaks specific to South Carolina.
Open Web AppH5N1 was first identified in humans in Hong Kong in 1997 during an outbreak linked to live poultry markets. Since 2003, it has caused numerous outbreaks in bird populations across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, leading to sporadic but often severe human infections and significant concerns for pandemic potential.
Avian Influenza H5N1 primarily spreads to humans through direct, prolonged contact with infected poultry (live or dead), their secretions (saliva, feces), or contaminated environments (e.g., surfaces in live bird markets). Human-to-human transmission is rare and has not been sustained, but close contact with an infected person might pose a limited risk.
Contagious Period: Varies by disease
Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance
Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) activity across South Carolina. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.
Get instant push notifications when Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) activity increases in South Carolina or your specific county.
For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to South Carolina, visit your state health department's website.
Whether you live in South Carolina, are traveling there, or have family in the state, understanding Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) prevention is essential. Follow these evidence-based prevention measures:
If you experience symptoms of Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) in South Carolina, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes significantly.
Emergency symptoms: If you experience severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of dehydration, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Trusted information from leading health organizations
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-24
No confirmed cases reported in South Carolina yet. Here are the latest Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) reports from our global surveillance network.
Poultry producer Inghams announces move after brown skua confirmed to have virus and petrel being tested, in first cases seen on Australia's mainland Poultry farms in Western Australia have gone into lockdown after confirmation the deadly H5N1 bird flu has arrived on the country…
SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Australia has detected its first suspected mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote part of the country's southwest, authorities said on Friday. A migratory sea bird known as a brown skua found in Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park…
WOAH's 93rd General Session has formalized a significant normative shift in avian influenza governance, moving from market-level containment to supply-chain-wide biosecurity within a One Health framework. The practical impact of the revised standards will depend on member st…
SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Australia has detected its first suspected mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote part of the country's southwest, authorities said on Friday. A migratory sea bird known as a brown skua found in Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park test…
Australia has recorded its first-ever detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5, identified in a brown skua in a remote area of southern Western Australia, with a suspect-positive result in a co-located giant petrel pending confirmatory testing. The event marks a s…
Bird flu has killed thousands of southern elephant seal pups on remote Antarctic islands belonging to Australia, new research has shown. Heard and McDonald Islands, about 4,000 km (2,485 miles) south-west of Australia, are home to over one million breeding seabirds and seals. S…
This event envelope contains reports on avian influenza in Hong Kong. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=7bae4f1c-6aa7-4e69-a2aa-b68f5e1f36d7)
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announces a major policy shift allowing the use of vaccination to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza. South Africa's poultry industry is set for a major regulatory shift after Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen moved to amend the co…
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