Avian Influenza in the United States: A Threat to Food Safety and Public Health

Since early 2022, the United States has faced an unprecedented outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), affecting poultry, dairy cattle, wild birds, and, in rare cases, humans. This paper explores the multifaceted implications of the epidemic for food safety and public health, drawing on the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of March 2025. With over 10,000 detections in wild birds across all 50 states, infections in more than 200 dairy herds, and 57 confirmed human cases, the outbreak presents serious challenges. This article analyzes risks to the food supply chain, evaluates current mitigation strategies such as pasteurization and biosecurity, and examines the socioeconomic toll on the agricultural sector. Preventive measures grounded in a One Health approach are proposed to mitigate future risks. This analysis underscores the urgency of coordinated action to safeguard both human health and food security.