California Department of Public Health announcements or media coverage

California Child Tests Positive for H5N1 Bird Flu After Raw Milk Consumption

Dec 11, 2024, 04:45 PM

Health officials in California are investigating a possible case of bird flu in a child who became ill after drinking raw milk. The Marin County Public Health Department reported that the child, who tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the virus, had consumed raw milk prior to showing symptoms. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of raw milk consumption, especially in light of the ongoing bird flu outbreaks among dairy cattle and poultry across the United States. Federal health officials have confirmed the connection, noting that the strain found in the child is closely related to those circulating in livestock. The USDA announced 32 new herds affected by H5N1 in California, bringing the total known herds in the state to the 559 range, and the total known mammal herds in the US to the 779 range across 17 states, highlighting the potential for zoonotic transmission.