California Declares Emergency as H5N1 Bird Flu Infects 645 Dairy Herds

Dec 18, 2024, 08:13 PM

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu affecting the state's dairy industry. The virus has been detected in 645 dairy herds and has infected 34 people in California since the national outbreak began in the spring. Recent bird flu cases detected in dairy cows in Southern California prompted the state to expand monitoring of the virus. The emergency declaration aims to streamline and expedite the state's response, allowing government agencies to mobilize resources, suspend regulations, and enhance staffing to contain the outbreak. The virus, first detected in Texas and Kansas in March, has spread to dairy cattle in 16 states. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first severe human case of bird flu in the U.S., with a person hospitalized in Louisiana. Governor Newsom stated, "We will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus."