California declares state of emergency over bird flu outbreak

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, in response to growing concerns about bird flu cases in the state, acknowledging the increasing severity of the contagion.

"This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak," Governor Newsom stated, as reported by Business Insider. "While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus."

The H5N1 avian influenza virus has been spreading through US dairy cattle herds since March, affecting at least 16 states. California's agriculture department reported the virus in over 640 dairies, including about half identified in the last 30 days, according to El Financiero. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 865 infected herds across 16 states, with 649 of those in California, roughly 75%, as per USA Today.

California's dairy industry, the largest in the nation, produces about 41 billion gallons of milk annually, with Tulare County leading in milk production, according to The New York Times. The outbreak has significantly impacted the state, with nearly 650 of the 865 infected herds nationwide located in California, reported by USA Today.

The bird flu outbreak has infected 34 people in California, making it one of the states most affected by avian influenza among humans. All cases have been linked to exposure to infected cattle, primarily dairy workers. Tulare County, the top dairy-producing county in the nation, has reported the bulk of human cases of bird flu in California.

Most of the infected individuals have suffered only mild symptoms, including pink eye, fever, and muscle ache, and have recovered at home. However, the recent severe case in Louisiana has heightened concerns about the virus's impact on human health. The patient, a 65-year-old man with underlying health conditions, is hospitalized in critical condition due to severe respiratory illness related to H5N1 infection after being exposed to sick and dead birds in his backyard, according to The Washington Post.

"This case highlights that, in addition to the affected commercial poultry and dairy farms, wild birds and poultry can also be a source of exposure," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned, as reported by El Financiero. Despite the severity of the outbreak, health officials, including the World Health Organization (WHO), maintain that the risk to the general public remains low, although livestock workers are at heightened risk.

"CDC confirms first severe case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the US. While an investigation into the source of the infection is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks," the CDC said.

Governor Newsom emphasized that California boasts "the largest testing and monitoring system in the nation to respond to the outbreak" and is committed to further protecting public health and supporting the agriculture industry, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. To combat the H5N1 outbreak, California has implemented increased testing of dairy herds, quarantine efforts for infected farms, and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) to high-risk workers, including dairy workers.

Experts warn that each new infection of the H5N1 virus could allow the virus to mutate into more transmissible forms, and scientists are closely monitoring for mutations that could facilitate human-to-human spread. I've been sleeping with one eye open about this virus for many years," said Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, as reported by The New York Times.

The federal government has stockpiled 10 million doses of vaccine that it believes will be effective against the current strain of bird flu, and the CDC notes that it is developing vaccines against bird flu "in case they are needed." People who work closely with animals, like dairy farm workers, are particularly susceptible to H5N1 and should wear personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, and safety goggles, according to Stacey L. Schultz-Cherry, a virologist and influenza expert at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, as reported by The New York Times.

"We are taking decisive action to protect California’s wildlife and mitigate risks to public health," Governor Newsom said during a press conference.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq