In a health advisory sent to long-term care (LTC) facilities, farm bureaus and local health departments, the IDPH reports large commercial poultry flocks in central and southern Illinois have recently tested positive for the H5N1 virus. Farm owners are now in the process of “de-populating” the birds.

Several counties in northern Illinois have reported events where many ducks and geese have died, referred to as “die-offs.” The reason LTCs received the notice is because many are located on retention ponds that attract waterfowl and wild birds.

No human cases have been reported in Illinois yet. But health officials continue to warn those who interact with potentially infected animals that if they don’t wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), they are at higher risk of developing the novel influenza A virus due to H5N1.

Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare, says bird flu has really hurt local American farms.

"Avian flu is a different strain of Influenza A. It's a strain that has been circulating in bird and cattle populations for over two years. It has been devastating to those populations, like poultry and dairy farms across the country," Dr. Kasper says. "What was unique was that in the calendar year 2024, was the first confirmed testing where the spread from an animal to a human occurred of this specific strain of influenza."

In early January, the Louisiana Department of Health reported the first-ever human bird flu death in the United States. The patient was reported to be over 65 years of age and had underlying medical conditions. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

Currently bird flu is only transmitted from animal to animal or animal to person. There have been no reported cases to have transmitted from human to human, but Dr. Kasper says there is always a concern about that possibility.

"Whenever there is an animal strain of infection that's not typically found in humans, we worry about the impact of if it were to cross over," Dr. Kasper says. "We've seen this with other infections throughout history. Even within COVID-19, there was the initial thought that it was an animal strain of infection."

The current flu vaccine does not protect against avian influenza, Dr. Kasper says.

"Each year the influenza vaccine, which is made up of three or four strains of influenza virus, is reexamined and matched up to a variety of factors to try and predict which strains will be most prevalent the next year," Dr. Kasper says. "Right now, avian flu cases in humans are so low that it doesn't warrant a different strain that would be much more likely to be found." 

IDPH’s guidance to LTCs is to have residents tested for the flu if they are suspected of having acute respiratory illness. Don’t touch dead or sick birds, only trained staff in appropriate PPE should handle with caution.

"The average person who does not interact with poultry or dairy farms is at very low risk of avian flu," Dr. Kasper says. 

There is concern that bird flu could enter the food production and distribution across America. This is why the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is closely monitoring dairy and poultry farms, to try and limit any possible contamination of dairy, meat or poultry products. 

The bird flu continues to be rarely seen in humans, as only 67 cases (as of January 15) have been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases have been mild, Dr. Kasper says.

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A multi-state outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu), also known as H5N1, has caused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to closely monitor the situation.

The virus starts with wild birds. Then, it can spread to poultry, cows or cats. How does it reach humans? Through close contact with poultry or cows. It can be passed on through direct physical contact, after someone touches the virus and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth. It can also spread through contaminated surfaces. Lastly, bird flu can spread in the air through droplets or dust. The virus can enter through the eyes, nose or mouth, go through the nasal passage and into the lungs.

“The particular strain is H5N1, which has been talked about as far back as 2009 as being a particular concern of influenza, is circulating in animal populations and has crossed over to a very small number of people. Largely those who work very closely with animals,” says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare.

Before news alerts surrounding bird flu begin to ruffle your feathers, Dr. Kasper says the crossover to humans has been extremely low.  

“This isn’t something that’s going to catch us by surprise. The cases that have occurred and found their way to humans have been relatively mild and have not progressed into the family units of those people. The cases have not led to any sustained change in how we usually identify or treat influenza,” Dr. Kasper says.

H5N1 infections in dairy herds have been found in 12 states including Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says it’s working closely with state animal officials when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting on affected farms. Colorado, Texas and Michigan are the only states where humans have become infected.

Dr. Kasper says the current flu vaccine does not protect against the bird flu.

“While this is not a strain that is readily seen in our population yet, it is something that’s on the CDC’s monitoring list. It is something that may require additional adjustment in our flu vaccine strategy,” Dr. Kasper says. “For now, the guidance remains that when the seasonal flu vaccine becomes available, people 6 months of age or older should receive it.”

Farmers or producers who have been impacted by the spread of bird flu can apply for financial assistance through the USDA’s Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).

The CDC reports more than 4,300 people have been monitored due to exposure to infected animals, while only 13 cases have been confirmed in humans since March 24, 2024. The current public health risk remains low.

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