Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. The H5N1 virus outbreak, initially detected in Texas and Kansas in March, has now spread to dairy cows on Southern California farms, impacting cattle in 16 states according to the CDC. While no human transmission has been reported in California, all infections are linked to contact with infected cattle.
Governor Newsom emphasized the proclamation's purpose: to equip government agencies with the necessary resources and agility to tackle the outbreak swiftly. He highlighted California's robust testing and monitoring system, the largest nationwide, and reaffirmed the state's commitment to safeguarding public health, supporting the agricultural sector, and providing Californians with accurate and current information. Despite the low risk to the public, Newsom assured continued efforts to curb the virus's spread.
Coinciding with California's declaration, Louisiana confirmed its first human case of severe bird flu, as reported by the CDC. The agency maintains that the public health risk remains low but is closely monitoring the situation. For further details on health-related topics, visit foxnews.com/health.
