(Photo : (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images))
Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has caused an outbreak across the United States.
The current form of the H5N1 flu has been in transmission since 2021 and is currently infecting a sweep of animals across the United States.
Bird flu has been detected in high concentrations, with 221 cases on record thus far, reported Axios.
85 of the cases were found in red foxes along the east coast, midwest, and northwest.
A charted map created by the news outlet identifies where avian flu has been recognized in wild mammals since 2022.
The data, as of May 1, 2024, can be seen below:
(Photo : USDA)
While there's no evidence of H5N1 spreading between people, experts are saying uncovering viral spread early and restricting how long it circulates in a population of animals cuts the odds it will cross over to new species.
A major concern for public health officials is if the virus in cows mixes with influenza viruses that are frequent among pigs.
Swine are prominent "mixing bowls" for viruses that could potentially escalate to humans.
A spokesperson from the United States Department of Agriculture told Axios that there is currently no indication that the virus is infecting pigs and that the department cooperates with animal health officials and farming interests to run surveillance.
