The newly reported H5N9 strain was found Monday at a duck farm in Merced County, California, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. The Paris-based organization that studies animal diseases said it's the first verified U.S. case of H5N9 in poultry. The organization said the more common strain H5N1 was also found.

A pandemic is not inevitable, scientists say. But the outbreak has passed worrisome milestones in recent weeks, including cattle that may have been reinfected.

Bird flu cases are still rising in the U.S. as the virus continues to devastate poultry farms. More than 145 million chickens, ducks, turkeys and other fowl have been slaughtered across the United States since the outbreak began in January 2022. As for humans, 67 people have been infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

By India Edwards HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- A new strain of bird flu, H5N9, has been detected for the first time in the United States, raising concerns about how it continues to spread.

The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S, Department of Agriculture show the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States — with Iowa,

Learn about the new H5N9 bird flu strain in the US, its impact on food safety and prices, plus expert advice on protecting yourself from avian influenza.