First U.S. detection of virulent H5N9 strain, at a California duck farm, draws scrutiny as evidence of genetic reassortment that could trigger human outbreaks.

A new strain of H5N9 bird flu was detected at a commercial duck operation in California's Merced County. All the ducks were euthanized.

HealthDay News — A new strain of bird flu, H5N9, has been detected for the first time in the US, raising concerns about how it continues to spread. The strain was discovered at a commercial duck farm in California’s Merced County, and was reported to the World Organization for Animal Health, which maintains a database of animal disease threats.

The ban, which is in effect until further notice, is due to the continued spread of H5N1 bird flu in California.

A CHILD tested positive for H5N1 bird flu after experiencing conjunctivitis, health officials have confirmed. The patient, from San Francisco, California, also had a fever and tested positive for

A California duck farm has culled thousands of birds as the virus seems to be trading genetics with other viruses

The United States has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic H5N9 avian influenza in poultry, following an outbreak at a duck meat farm in Merced County, California, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) stated Monday.

Both H5N9 and H5N1 were detected at the duck farm in Merced County, according to tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory. The event began on November 23, with clinical signs that included increased deaths in the ducks.

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

There is a bird flu vaccine, and a federal stockpile holds several million doses, per The New York Times. However, Kennedy, who has been an outspoken vaccine critic, previously said on X that the bird flu vaccines “appear to be dangerous.” Basically, if a bird flu vaccine is needed, there are concerns that people will actually have access to it.

US officials are investigating the appearance of a strain of bird flu identified in the US for the first time, a worrying sign that the virus is evolving in ways that could make it harder to

California’s peak stomach flu season is expected to continue to April. Hand sanitizers don't kill the illness, which spreads easily from person-to-person.