By early 2025, the tally climbed to 66 cases, including the nation’s first human bird flu death. Those concerns, stoked by growing presence of bird flu, have elevated calls by activists to provide more industry transparency. What we knowOn Sept. 4, 2025, the Raleigh-based North Carolina Environmental Justice Network made a public records request to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Tips to limit bird flu exposure: Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry or other possibly infected animals. The main diagnostic lab for animal diseases is in Raleigh and called the Rollins Animal Diagnostic Lab,” said North Carolina State Veterinarian Mike Martin.