As avian influenza outbreaks in wild birds and poultry continue across the US, the country approaches a record number of birds affected compared to previous avian influenza outbreaks, according to a news release from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since early 2022, more than 49 million birds in 46 states have either died as a result of avian influenza virus infection or have been culled (killed) due to exposure to infected birds. This number is nearing the 50.5 million birds in 21 states that were affected by the largest bird flu outbreak that occurred in 2015. Even so, the number of states affected in 2022 is already more than double the number of states that were affected in 2015.