A possible case of H5N1 bird flu has been reported in a child in Marin County, California. The health department is investigating the matter, and if confirmed, it would be the 61st case of bird flu in the US and the second instance of a child infected with H5N1 in the state.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health are collaborating on the investigation. Officials are working to determine how the child was exposed to the virus, which is known to spread through dairy operations and raw milk consumption.
Experts believe that drinking raw milk can increase the risk of acquiring the virus. Pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume. The US Department of Agriculture has announced plans to test milk for the virus in six states, including California, as part of a national effort to rid dairy herds of bird flu.
Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/bird-flu-marin-child-19966121.php