California Reports 16 Human Cases of H5N1, H5N5 Amid Largest Bird Flu Outbreak in EU

Nov 3, 2024, 03:00 PM

The European Union is experiencing a rapid spread of bird flu this season, with California facing one of the largest outbreaks in history. This month, California has reported 16 human cases of bird flu, prompting workers in the state's dairy sector to don respirators, face shields, and gloves as they manage the crisis. Additionally, new cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H5N5 have emerged in white-tailed eagles, raising further concerns about the outbreak. Recent reports indicate that genotypic clustering of H5N1 avian influenza viruses has been detected in North America, highlighting the need for vigilance regarding this public health issue.