California Declares State of Emergency Over H5N1 Virus in Dairy Cattle
Source: DairyNews.today
California has declared a state of emergency in response to the country’s highest reported cases of H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, affecting dairy cattle. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the proclamation on Wednesday, December 18, aiming to enhance preparedness and accelerate cross-agency efforts to contain the outbreak.
The state’s Department of Food and Agriculture reported 645 infected dairy herds, with 311 cases detected in the past 30 days alone. This places California at the forefront of H5N1 outbreaks in cattle, surpassing other states in reported infections.
“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need,” Newsom said in a statement.
Rising Concerns Amid Human Case Reports
The declaration follows confirmation fr om the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first severe human case of H5N1 in the U.S. The patient, hospitalized in Louisiana, contracted the virus after exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.
The CDC clarified that the genotype of the virus affecting the Louisiana patient differs from the strain currently impacting dairy cattle in California. While the exact source of the patient’s infection remains under investigation, no human-to-human transmission has been reported.
To date, 61 human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the U.S., according to the CDC. Health authorities continue to emphasize that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption.
Precautionary Measures Recommended
The CDC advises the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds, including poultry and wild birds, and to steer clear of surfaces contaminated by bird fluids. These measures are critical in reducing the risk of exposure to the virus.
Industry Implications
California’s dairy industry, a cornerstone of the state’s economy, faces heightened scrutiny as the outbreak evolves. Authorities are coordinating with agricultural and public health agencies to lim it the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on livestock and public health.
With California now leading the nation in H5N1 cases among dairy cattle, the emergency declaration underscores the urgency of controlling the outbreak and protecting both human and animal health.
“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need,” Newsom said in a statement.
Rising Concerns Amid Human Case Reports
The declaration follows confirmation fr om the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first severe human case of H5N1 in the U.S. The patient, hospitalized in Louisiana, contracted the virus after exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.
The CDC clarified that the genotype of the virus affecting the Louisiana patient differs from the strain currently impacting dairy cattle in California. While the exact source of the patient’s infection remains under investigation, no human-to-human transmission has been reported.
To date, 61 human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the U.S., according to the CDC. Health authorities continue to emphasize that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption.
Precautionary Measures Recommended
The CDC advises the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds, including poultry and wild birds, and to steer clear of surfaces contaminated by bird fluids. These measures are critical in reducing the risk of exposure to the virus.
Industry Implications
California’s dairy industry, a cornerstone of the state’s economy, faces heightened scrutiny as the outbreak evolves. Authorities are coordinating with agricultural and public health agencies to lim it the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on livestock and public health.
With California now leading the nation in H5N1 cases among dairy cattle, the emergency declaration underscores the urgency of controlling the outbreak and protecting both human and animal health.
