U.S. Reports 3 H5N1 Human Cases; California's Count Rises to 21 Amid 300 Infected Dairy Herds, 60 Total Known Cases

Nov 7, 2024, 06:00 PM

The United States is witnessing a rise in cases of H5N1 bird flu among humans and livestock. California has reported a new human case, increasing its total to 21. The U.S. now has three confirmed human cases of H5N1, including two in Washington and one in California, all linked to farm exposure. The CDC has noted a total of 60 known human cases of H5N1 in 2024, with recent studies indicating an infection rate of 7% among farmworkers exposed to infected animals. In livestock, the USDA confirmed that California has reached 300 infected dairy herds, with 236 confirmed. The total number of infected livestock herds across the U.S. stands at 446 in 15 states. The CDC is ramping up testing for farmworkers, recommending tests even for asymptomatic individuals exposed to the virus. Recent serological evidence has revealed eight additional cases of prior bird flu infection among dairy workers in Colorado and Michigan, which will not be included in the CDC's official count.