Bird Flu Outbreak Now Impacting Illinois in Flock of 40,000+

The USDA has reported that the bird flu outbreak continues to grow and that now has impacted Illinois including a flock of more than 40,000.

The Centers for Disease Control just updated the H5N1 bird flu outbreak which now includes many new cases. The new update from a few days ago now shows Livingston, Illinois is one of the new outbreak locations in a turkey herd of more than 40,000.

This map shows all of the affected areas across the country which have reported bird flu this year.

While the CDC says this outbreak is no great danger to humans, NBC News is reporting today that the first serious case of human bird flu has now been confirmed in the state of Louisiana. This follows cases earlier this year when bird flu human cases were confirmed in Missouri.

How can you avoid bird flu in Illinois?

The CDC says the only way to avoid the bird flu is to stay away from known sources of the virus. Avoiding contact with sick and/or wild birds is key.

There's no mention of how many of the 40,000 flock in Illinois have tested positive for the bird flu, but considering how widespread this latest outbreak is, it will bear watching.