California governor declares state of emergency over bird flu

In response to an outbreak of Avian influenza A (H5N1), also referred to as bird flu, which has infected 34 people in the state, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency, according to media reports. 

Following the discovery of dairy cow cases on Southern California farms, the announcement was made on Wednesday (December 18).

 

In order to prevent and reduce the spread of the virus, the governor's office said this development emphasizes the necessity of stepping up monitoring measures and fortifying the statewide response.

There have been no reports of avian flu spreading from person to person in California, according to a news release from the governor's office. Almost every affected person had come into close contact with contaminated cattle.

As reported by news outlet IANS, the state has already put in place the biggest testing and surveillance infrastructure in the nation to combat the outbreak, according to media reports. 

Since its discovery in Texas and Kansas in March 2024, the H5N1 virus has already spread among dairy cattle in 16 states, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Since April, there have been 61 H5N1 human cases recorded nationwide, including a serious case that was just confirmed in Louisiana. 

However, there have been no reports of person-to-person transmission in California. The majority of the state's sick people were exposed to infected cows. 33 cows tested positive for the virus, according to a 

December 13 report from the California Department of Public Health. 

According to the Department of Public Health's website, California has provided protective equipment to dairy farms and encouraged employees who handle cows or raw milk to utilize it in order to reduce dangers. 

In January 2022, bird flu was discovered in South Carolina's wild birds, and in July 2022, it was found in California's wild bird population.