Kansas HPAI Outbreak Worst in U.S.

Kansas is contending with the worst outbreak of bird flu in the United States, with more than 414,000 birds confirmed infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.   The majority of infections, about 380,000, have occurred at a single commercial poultry farm in eastern Kansas, part of four commercial and six backyard flocks affected statewide as of January 12th.

The strain is highly lethal to birds but is considered a low risk to the general public. No human cases have been reported in Kansas, though the CDC has documented 74 human infections and two deaths nationwide since 2024.

State officials said migrating wild waterfowl likely are spreading the virus and urged poultry owners to strengthen biosecurity measures to protect flocks during the peak winter spread.

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