State of Emergency Issued Over Bird Flu

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday in response to the growing bird flu outbreak in the state and nationwide. The decision follows a rise in bird flu cases, particularly in Southern California, where the virus has also been detected in dairy cows. This emergency proclamation comes just as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first severe human case of bird flu in Louisiana.

“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement.

While there have been no reported cases of person-to-person transmission of bird flu in California or elsewhere, health officials are closely monitoring the situation. So far, the CDC has recorded 61 human cases of bird flu across 16 states, with more than half of these cases (34) in California. Health officials are focusing on dairy and poultry farm workers, many of whom have tested positive for the virus.

Earlier this month, a California raw milk dairy voluntarily recalled a product after bird flu was detected in a batch, though health experts have long advised against consuming unpasteurized milk due to potential bacterial risks.

To help control the outbreak, California has already implemented measures to minimize farm workers’ exposure to the virus, particularly on dairy and poultry farms. “While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus,” Newsom emphasized.

As part of the emergency declaration, state and local agencies will receive funding to assist in the response to the bird flu situation.

California isn’t the first state to declare an emergency over bird flu—earlier this year, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a similar proclamation for Weld County due to a local outbreak.

The current bird flu outbreak, which began in 2022, has led to the culling of more than 100 million birds in an effort to control its spread. The H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has been causing concern among public health officials, is particularly dangerous when it infects humans, with over half of the reported cases resulting in death. However, no deaths have been reported in the U.S. as part of the current outbreak.