Los Angeles County Confirms First H5 Bird Flu Case Amid 65 National Cases and State Emergency

Dec 24, 2024, 01:03 AM

Los Angeles County has confirmed its first human case of H5 bird flu, linked to an adult who was exposed to infected livestock at a worksite. The patient experienced mild symptoms, received antiviral treatment, and is recovering at home. This case follows California's declaration of a state of emergency due to the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which has affected 649 dairy herds and caused sporadic human illnesses across the United States, with 65 cases reported nationally, including 36 in California. The virus has also been detected in wild birds and mammals across multiple states, including a significant outbreak that killed 20 big cats at a wild animal sanctuary in Shelton, Washington. Health officials emphasize that the overall risk to the public remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission, but urge precautions to prevent exposure to infected animals.