The California Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health announced that two California dairy workers have tested positive for H5 avian influenza.
The CDC stated: in release He insisted the two incidents, involving farmers working at different dairy farms in California’s Central Valley, are unrelated.
“CDC continues to work closely with public health officials in California and other states to support state efforts to limit the spread of H5N1 from infected animals to humans,” the agency said.
Officials said both had mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis. Neither had any respiratory symptoms and did not require hospitalization.
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An exhibitor displays a cow at the state fair in West Allis, Wisconsin, USA on August 9, 2024. Dairy farmers are taking precautions such as testing for avian influenza when displaying their cows during the fair. Reuters/Jim Vondruska (Reuters/Jim Bindruska)
Health officials said the risk to the general public remains low, but it has caused “rare and sporadic infections” among workers who handle infected animals.
“This virus is widespread in wild birds and has caused ongoing outbreaks in U.S. poultry since 2022,” the CDC said.
In this illustration taken on June 10, 2024, a test tube is labeled with the words “Bird Flu.” (Reuters/Dado Ruvik/Illustration/File photo)
In 2024, there will be 16 human cases of avian influenza in the United States, including two recent cases in California.
CDC announces first human case of avian influenza diagnosed without contact with infected animals
Avian influenza infection in 2024:
- Texas – 1
- Michigan – 2
- Colorado – 10
- Missouri – 1
- california – 2
The agency said six of the 16 human cases reported were related to the disease or exposure to infected dairy cows. Nine cases had contact with infected poultry.
Feeding dairy cows on a farm near Bado, New Mexico, March 31, 2017 Another dairy worker in Michigan has been diagnosed with avian influenza. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abdo)
CDC recommendations:
Government agencies advised individuals to avoid contact with wild birds and sick or dead animals, and to avoid preparing or eating unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheese.
CDC also recommends that when working with dairy cows or other animals that may be infected with H5N1 avian influenza, personal protective equipment ( We recommend wearing PPE. Other items that may be contaminated with viruses.
Cows graze in an oil field in Midland, Texas, on February 13, 2019. Dairy cows infected with avian influenza in five US states died or were slaughtered by farmers because they did not recover. (Reuters/Nick Oxford/File Photo)
The CDC recommends that if you become ill after close contact with an infected animal, contact your local health department and health care provider for testing.
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Symptoms of bird flu include red eyes (conjunctivitis), mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches.
