An outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has led to the culling of hundreds of thousands of chickens in Australia and the US.

Australia reported its first human case of avian influenza in Victoria, with a child who contracted the H5N1 strain in India and fully recovered.

In the US, a second dairy worker in Michigan tested positive for H5N1, marking the third human infection in the country.

The CDC and other organizations are monitoring the virus in wastewater samples, finding traces in dairy products from multiple states.

A new discovery in the Texas Panhandle revealed H5N1 spreading in cattle, originating from birds and posing a potential risk to humans if it mutates.

Genomic analyses indicate Texas as the epicenter of the epidemic, with the virus spreading to other states through cattle movement.

Collaboration between stakeholders is crucial, with federal restrictions and financial aid being implemented to manage the outbreak.

Monitoring human infections and adopting a community-based approach are key to preventing further spread and understanding the virus's impact on human health.