Why are Chickens the Only Birds Getting Bird Flu?
RFK Jr Controversial Topics Series, Chapter 3: H5N1/Bird Flu
“Why are Chickens the Only Birds Getting Bird Flu?” I have seen this question posed multiple times on my social media feed, and spoiler alert: it isn’t just chickens that are infected.
Current counts indicate the percentage of wild birds infected with a variant of avian flu in the U.S. is around 23%. This includes data starting July 2021 through December 2024. Two different categories of avian flu are being surveilled: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and a more generalized category of Avian Influenza Virus (AIV), which includes H5 and H7 strains.1
HPAI vs LPAI
Bird flu viruses are classified based on their genetic properties, which scientists analyze through genetic characterization. By collecting samples of circulating viruses, researchers can map out their relationships using a phylogenetic tree—a visual representation similar to a family tree.2
Each virus has its own branch, and where branches connect (nodes), they indicate a shared ancestor, meaning the viruses have common genetic traits. Groups of related viruses form what’s known as a clade. Recently, many H5N1 bird flu viruses infecting wild birds and poultry in the U.S. have been identified as part of clade 2.3.4.4b, highlighting their genetic connection and helping researchers track their evolution and spread.2
Avian influenza A viruses fall into two categories: low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). They define how the virus interacts with poultry, wild birds, and, potentially, us.2
LPAI is like a whisper—often unnoticed, causing only mild illness in birds, perhaps a ruffle of feathers, a drop in egg production. Most avian influenza viruses, lingering in wild birds with little consequence, belong to this category. However, given the right conditions, an LPAI virus can mutate, transforming into its more dangerous counterpart: HPAI.2
HPAI, on the other hand, is a storm. When it strikes, poultry flocks experience devastation—mortality rates soaring up to 100% within 48 hours. Chickens succumb rapidly; their organs are overwhelmed by a viral onslaught. Yet, paradoxically, some ducks—silent carriers—walk away unscathed, spreading the virus as they migrate across continents.2
But here’s where it gets even more complex. While these classifications describe how the virus behaves in birds, they don’t necessarily predict its impact on humans. LPAI and HPAI strains have crossed the species barrier, causing anything from mild illness to severe disease in humans. The genetic dance of these viruses is unpredictable, shaped by mutations, host interactions, and global travel and trade.
Current Situation
Currently, 1,233 counties have confirmed avian flu in wild birds.2 While 168,268,678 poultry in 51 jurisdictions have been affected.3
On March 25, 2024, the first avian flu outbreak in cows was reported. Since then, 17 states and 994 dairy herds have been affected.4
As of March 28, 2025, there has been no person-to-person spread of avian flu. A total of 70 confirmed cases and one death. The good news is that the public health risk remains low.3
Since the avian flu outbreak in dairy cattle, multiple cats—including barn cats, household pets, and big cats in zoos—have contracted the virus. Barn cat deaths at dairy farms were key to identifying the outbreak in cattle.5
In December, Northwest Naturals recalled a batch of its raw frozen Feline Turkey Recipe pet food after it tested positive for H5N1. A house cat in Oregon died after eating the contaminated food, with genetic testing confirming an exact match between the virus in the pet food and the cat. Another warning was issued in Los Angeles County after a cat died from consuming raw pet food from Monarch Raw Pet Food, with four other cats in the same household presumed infected.5
Authorities are also investigating a separate case where four cats died after consuming raw, unpasteurized milk. The FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association urge pet owners to avoid raw pet food and dairy products and monitor their pets for illness.5,6
RFK Jr: “Let it rip”
RFK Jr, in a recent interview with Fox News, suggested allowing avian flu to spread unchecked. He reasoned that this would help identify “resistant” birds. This logic is seriously flawed.7
While RFK Jr has blamed culling for high egg prices, experts clarify that the real culprit is the virus. Without culling, nearly all infected birds would die anyway, and their egg production would halt early in the infection. More importantly, allowing the virus to run unchecked would lead to even more significant poultry losses and increased human and animal health risks.8
Experts warn that stopping culling could give the virus more chances to mutate, potentially making it even more dangerous. Additionally, while some human cases of avian flu have been linked to culling operations, most have been connected to general poultry exposure.8
In short, culling is not just about controlling egg prices—it’s a crucial measure to prevent mass poultry deaths, protect food supplies, and reduce the risk of avian flu evolving into a bigger threat. 8
Prevention strategies
Remember that the avian flu is currently a low risk for humans; however, this could potentially change as influenza viruses are notoriously sneaky and quick to mutate.9 Nonetheless, there are some steps you can take to further prevent the risk of infection.
UChicago Medicine has suggested things you can do to reduce your risk of exposure.10
1. Only consume pasteurized dairy products
2. Refrigerate and cook eggs, meat, and poultry
3. Protect your pets; do not feed them raw milk or pet food
4. Avoid contact with wild, sick, or dead birds and livestock
5. Wash your hands thoroughly and often
6. Follow public health recommendations
In closing
So, what is the key takeaway? Stay vigilant. Please understand that nature operates in patterns—ones we must decode before the next spillover event occurs. Avian flu isn’t just a poultry problem or a wildlife issue; it’s a public health challenge, a reminder that we are all connected in this intricate web of life.
We must ask ourselves: Are we prepared for the next mutation? In the story of the avian flu, evolution is the author, and the next chapter has yet to be written.
References
1. Wild Bird Avian Influenza Surveillance. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/wild-bird-surveillance-dashboard
2. Current Situation: Bird Flu in Wild Birds. (2024, May 2). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/wildbirds.html
3. H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation. (2025, March 28). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html#human-cases
4. Current Situation: Bird Flu in Dairy Cows. (2025, March 27). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html
5. Cat deaths linked to bird flu-contaminated raw pet food, sparking voluntary recall. (2025, January 15). American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/news/cat-deaths-linked-bird-flu-contaminated-raw-pet-food-sparking-voluntary-recall
6. Voluntary Recall of Wild Coast Raw Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula Raw Pet Food Because of Possible Bird Flu Health Risk. (2025, March 1). U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall-wild-coast-raw-boneless-free-range-chicken-formula-raw-pet-food-because-possible?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
7. RFK, Jr. Wants to Let Bird Flu Spread on Poultry Farms. Why Experts Are Concerned. (2025, March 19). Scientific America. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rfk-jr-wants-to-let-bird-flu-spread-on-poultry-farms-why-experts-are/#:~:text=Kennedy%20recently%20told%20Fox%20News,this%20plan%20wouldn't%20work.
8. Avian Influenza in Birds: Causes and How it Spreads. (2025, March 26). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/virus-transmission/avian-in-birds.html#:~:text=When%20avian%20influenza%20A(H5,Plant%20Health%20Inspection%20Service%20website.
9. How Flu Viruses Can Change: “Drift” and “Shift”. (2024, September 17). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/php/viruses/change.html
10. 7 Things You Can do to Prevent Getting Bird Flu. (2025, January 14). UChicago Medicine. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/news/bird-flu