California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as bird flu continues to spread through dairy herds across the state, raising new concerns about the virus's impact on both animal and human health.
The H5N1 virus has now been detected in at least 650 California dairy herds, representing about three-quarters of all affected U.S. dairy operations. The virus, which initially appeared in U.S. dairy cattle in March, has spread to 16 states and infected more than 866 herds nationwide.
While public health officials maintain that the risk to the general population remains low, recent developments have heightened attention to the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the nation's first severe human case in Louisiana - an individual over 65 with underlying health conditions who is now in critical condition after exposure to infected backyard birds.
Prior to this case, approximately 60 people across eight states had contracted the virus, experiencing only mild symptoms. In California alone, 34 people have tested positive for bird flu.
The emergency declaration aims to bolster the state's response by providing additional resources and streamlining efforts to contain the spread. California health officials have implemented surveillance measures, including testing large milk tanks during processing.
The CDC emphasizes that there have been no instances of person-to-person transmission, and the virus has not shown signs of adapting to spread more easily between humans. However, people working with dairy cows, commercial poultry, or backyard birds face higher risk and should use protective equipment, including respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves.
Regarding food safety, authorities stress that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption as the heat treatment eliminates the virus. However, high levels of the virus have been found in unpasteurized milk, leading to recent recalls of raw milk products in California.
As the situation evolves, health officials continue monitoring the outbreak while advising the public to avoid raw milk consumption and maintain proper precautions when handling or working with potentially infected animals.