Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency Over Avian Influenza Outbreak in Dairy Cattle
California, already home to the largest testing and monitoring system in the nation for Bird Flu, is intensifying its efforts to contain the virus. Governor Newsom’s emergency proclamation enables state and local agencies to bypass staffing, contracting, and regulatory hurdles, ensuring swift action to mitigate the outbreak’s impact.
"This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak," stated Governor Newsom.
Key measures include:
- Expanded surveillance of dairy cattle herds.
- Increased public awareness campaigns, particularly among dairy and poultry workers.
- Distribution of PPE to high-risk workers and enhanced workplace safety protocols.
- Collaboration with federal agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and USDA, for unified efforts in monitoring and control.
Since the virus was first identified in dairy cows in Texas and Kansas in March 2024, it has spread to 16 states, with California reporting 34 human cases out of 61 confirmed nationwide. All human cases are linked to exposure to infected cattle, and no evidence of person-to-person transmission has been found in California to date.
California’s response includes:
- Cross-agency coordination led by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
- Multilingual outreach to inform dairy and poultry workers about preventive measures.
- Vaccination efforts, with additional seasonal flu vaccines provided to reduce concurrent risks.
Bird Flu has been present in wild bird populations in the U.S. since its detection in South Carolina in January 2022 and later in California in July 2022. The virus’s detection in dairy cattle earlier this year marked a turning point, prompting states like California to act decisively.
