Global Center for Health Security

- Our Expertise Overview
- Why Nebraska?
  Nebraska’s difference is an all-star, all-volunteer team that dedicated itself to being ready for any biocontainment crisis at any time.
- Leadership
  The Global Center is led by experts in biopreparedness and high-consequence infections research, education and clinical care.
- Scholars
  Our scholars are leading advancements in global health security.
- Affiliates
  Our affiliates are innovative experts collaborating to advance global health security.
- C-STARS
  C-STARS, the Center for Sustainment of Trauma Readiness Skills- Omaha is a collaboration between UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s School of Aerospace Medicine. C-STARS Omaha works closely with UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, iEXCEL, and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit to take advantage of the medical center’s capabilities and expertise in biopreparedness training and research.
- Our Team
  Our team consists of a variety of professionals providing support and project management to further the Global Center for Health Security’s mission.
- Domains Overview
- Clinical
  The Global Center for Health Security is the premier U.S. institution for management of high-consequence infections. Further, our clinical capabilities include biological, chemical, burn, and radiation domains.
- Education & Training
  Our expertise is now sought worldwide and officially sanctioned by the U.S. government. The GCHS is the home base to the national Training, Simulation, and Quarantine Center and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.
- Research
  The GCHS has laser-focused existing work by our leading scientists in fields like chemical weapons, drug discovery and public health.
- Innovation & External Partnerships
  The GCHS has partnered with many academic groups at UNMC and external partners to tackle the most pressing problems in emerging infectious diseases.
Programs
- Health Emergencies Overview
- Outbreaks to Watch
  Find information about emerging pathogens, diseases and outbreaks from around the world. Stay updated on the most recent information on worldwide global health and emerging pathogens outbreaks.
- COVID-19 Updates & Resources
  View recordings of Dr. James Lawler's presentations on data, developments and updates from local to international levels and access COVID-19 news, resources, and playbooks.
- Avian Flu- HPAI H5N1
  Learn more about the current worldwide outbreak of the HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu.
- MPox
  The Global Center for Health Security is currently monitoring the spread of Mpox. Learn more by viewing our resources.
The Transmission

— Global Center for Health Security — Health Emergencies — Avian Flu- HPAI H5N1

Avian Flu- HPAI H5N1

Explore H5N1

H5N1 Published Papers

What is HPAI H5N1?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred."

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strain of the H5N1 avian flu is currently spreading in the U.S. and is the same as the one spreading in Europe and Asia. Both wild birds and domestic poultry have been affected, along with some cases of the virus being found in wild mammals, such as mink, grizzly bears, sea lions, and otters.

Click here for the Current Situation Summary from the CDC.

Unofficial HPAI H5N1 Map

Data was sourced and imported from FAO EMPRES, USDA APHIS, WAHIS, and open source news reports beginning in late 2022 to current.

Click here to view the map

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in Birds & Other Animals

The Transmission

The Transmission provides timely, curated news regarding the current HPAI H5N1 outbreak.

World Organisation for Animal Health

Situation Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1)

The World Animal Health Information System

FAO- EMPRES Map

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Map

Avian flu outbreaks hit more commercial farms in 7 states

December 5, 2023

Nearly 3 million birds euthanized in Iowa due to Avian Influenza

November 28, 2023

Three states report more avian flu outbreaks, pushing total past 60 million bird mark

October 31, 2023

Avian Flu: Uruguay admits burying 400 sea lions; but a similar number tested positive

October 17, 2023

‘Heart-breaking’ news as avian flu ravages seabird colonies at sites across Wales

September 12, 2023

Scotland: Around 70 birds killed by flu in the last seven days

Mysterious Spread of Bird Flu in Cats in Poland, WHO Reports

Bird Flu Detected in Mammals in Peru

Climate change impacts on bird migration and highly pathogenic avian influenza

November 29, 2023

Zoonotic Mutation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Identified in the Brain of Multiple Wild Carnivore Species

January 20, 2023

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection in farmed minks, Spain, October 2022

January 19, 2023