Official announcements from the Office of the Governor of California

California Governor Gavin Newsom Declares State of Emergency Over H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak

Dec 18, 2024, 07:53 PM

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to the escalating cases of H5N1 bird flu in the state and across the United States. The emergency proclamation aims to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility needed to respond quickly to the outbreak. "This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak," Newsom stated. While the current risk to the public remains low, the declaration is a proactive measure to strengthen cross-agency efforts to tackle the spread of the virus.