“State of Emergency Declared as Bird Flu Spreads in California: What You Need to Know”

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as the H5N1 bird flu virus continues to spread from the Central Valley to Southern California herds. This comes as federal officials confirmed a case of severe illness caused by the bird flu in a patient hospitalized in Louisiana, marking the first such case in the U.S.

The declaration of a state of emergency will allow for a more coordinated response among state and local agencies to combat the virus. This will provide flexibility in terms of staffing, contracting, and other rules to support California’s evolving response to the outbreak.

Newsom stated, “Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 645 dairy herds in California have been infected with the H5N1 virus since August, with a nationwide total of 865 cases dating back to March when the virus was first detected in Texas herds.

The CDC reports that 61 people have acquired the virus since March, with the majority of cases occurring at dairies or commercial poultry operations. Most individuals experienced mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis or upper respiratory irritation.

In California, 34 people have been infected with H5N1, with the source of infection being primarily from infected dairy herds. There was one outlier case in a child from Alameda County, and a suspected case in a child from Marin County who drank raw milk known to be infected with the virus.

The case in Louisiana is of particular concern due to its severity. The patient reportedly had close contact with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock on their property. The virus detected in this patient is a version of the H5N1 bird flu known as D1.1, which is circulating in wild birds.

The CDC and Louisiana health officials are currently investigating the patient’s contacts and conducting genetic analysis of the virus to determine any changes that may have occurred. So far, there have been no indications of changes in the virus that would increase its ability to infect or spread among humans.

Research shows that the H5N1 virus has historically resulted in a mortality rate of roughly 50% in cases reported in Asia and the Middle East. Since its identification in 1997, there have been 948 reported cases worldwide, leading to 464 deaths.

While the cases associated with the B3.13 strain circulating in dairy herds have resulted in mild symptoms, research indicates that mutational changes in a viral isolate from a dairy worker in Texas allowed for airborne transmission between mammals and was 100% lethal in laboratory ferrets.

The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely and is working to expedite influenza and bird flu testing in clinical and public health laboratories to identify cases quickly. Newsom’s office has stated that California has established the largest testing and monitoring system in the nation to respond to the outbreak.

Overall, the risk to the general population is considered low, but health officials are taking all necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing research and surveillance will be crucial in containing the outbreak.