California officials have declared a state of emergency due to the rapid spread of bird flu among dairy cows, with over 866 herds infected in 16 states. The virus, Type A H5N1, has also caused sporadic illnesses in people across the US, mostly mild, but one case in Louisiana has been reported as severe.
The risk to the general public is considered low, with no reports of person-to-person transmission and no signs that the virus has changed its transmission pattern. However, experts warn that flu viruses are constantly mutating, making it difficult to predict the outbreak’s trajectory.
One patient in Louisiana is currently in critical condition, marking the first confirmed severe case tied to backyard birds. The CDC is urging caution among people with contact to dairy cows or poultry, recommending respiratory and eye protection, gloves, and testing for farmworkers who may be at risk.
The virus can also be spread through raw milk, which has been recalled from stores in California due to high levels of the virus. Health officials are advising against drinking raw milk to prevent the spread of germs and bird flu. The US Agriculture Department is stepping up testing of raw milk across the country to contain the outbreak.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-h5n1-spread-people-e5edab844b409b8ba21feaecb10156d0