Bird flu in California: Update amid state of emergency

Governor of California Gavin Newsom A state of emergency was declared on Wednesday in response to the recent spread of bird flu among dairy cows.

Since August, officials have identified the virus in 645 dairy herds across California — more than any other state.

Find out more below.

Update on bird flu cases in America

Since bird flu was first detected in dairy farms in the United States in 2022, it has spread to hundreds of cattle herds in 16 states and caused mild infections in some dairy farm workers.

The H5N1 strain of the virus was first identified in the US in March this year. Since then, 61 people in seven states have been reported infected with the virus. The country’s first serious case of H5N1 was confirmed in Louisiana. “CDC has confirmed the first serious case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States. While the source of infection remains under investigation, it has been determined that the patient was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks,” the CDC reported. “

H5N1 is considered the most pathogenic of the bird flu strains, meaning it is particularly deadly, with a mortality rate of about 60% in humans.

Why did Newsom declare a state of emergency?

Of the 61 cases of bird flu reported in the US this year, 34 are in California.

In response to the outbreak, Governor Newsom issued a statement regarding the state of emergency: “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure that government agencies have the resources and flexibility needed to quickly respond to this outbreak. Building on California’s testing and surveillance system – the largest in the country – we are committed to protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. “Although the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”

What is the state of emergency?

A state of emergency is a formal declaration by the governor or government that temporarily extends its authority to deal with a crisis or emergency. It is invoked when local resources are inadequate to manage the scope of the crisis, and state intervention is required to prevent or reduce damage, loss or suffering.

This declaration allows the Governor to expedite assistance from state agencies to affected communities, providing immediate access to essential resources such as rescue operations, evacuations, shelters, and supplies (for example, heating fuel, food, etc.). It also enables the State to take action to control disturbances and maintain order in the affected areas.

Additionally, a state of emergency may allow the state to request federal assistance if the magnitude of the situation exceeds the capacity of the state’s resources.

What is bird flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can also spread to humans and other animals under certain circumstances. The virus is typically spread by direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces.

According to the CDC, people should avoid touching surfaces that are contaminated with infected material from birds or other animals suspected of having avian influenza.

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

In humans, symptoms of bird flu can range from mild to severe and may include:

• Fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle pain
• Tiredness
• Diarrhea
• vomit
• Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)

In some cases, the virus can cause severe respiratory illness or even death, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.