Here to stay? Veterinarians contemplate new bird flu reality

When a particularly virulent form of bird flu was first detected in the United States in January 2022, it was hoped the ensuing outbreak would burn out fast. After all, the last major national outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza fizzled within months. Four years later, veterinarians are confronting an uncomfortable possibility that the virus is here to stay.

This story was published on March 26, 2026.