United States: California health authorities have declared a state of emergency as bird flu devastates dairy farms in the state and sporadically impacts individuals across the US.
More about the news
The virus, which has been circulating through wild birds, commercial poultry, and mammals for years, is raising new concerns.
First detected in US dairy farms in March, the H5N1 strain has now affected at least 866 farms across 16 states.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in California over avian influenza comes within days of the first severe human case of bird flu in the U.S.” https://t.co/FA2QJoNmpF
— The Daily Seeker (@TheDailySeeker) December 20, 2024
More than 60 people in eight states contracted the disease, with the majority reporting relatively mild symptoms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This week, the Louisiana Health Board reported one case of severe infection in a resident of Louisiana, making it the first confirmed case of the new virus in the United States.
Why declaration of emergency?
The Republican Gov. Gavin Newsom said that he called the state of emergency to establish the state staff and equipment to fight against the outbreak.
California has been searching for bird flu in large milk tanks when processing. They’ve located the virus in at least 650 herds, which account for about 75% of all the affected dairy operations in the United States.
Gruesome Gavin Newsom is wasting NO TIME and has just declared an official “State of Emergency” for the state of California due to “H5N1 Bird Flu” 🚨🚨🚨⚠️⚠️⚠️
— Whiplash531 (@531Whiplash) December 20, 2024
Also, same day, Louisiana confirms the FIRST “official” case of severe H5N1 Bird Flu.
Definitely NOT a “coincidence”. pic.twitter.com/gCqhAy0E29
It was recently identified in Southern California dairy farms after it had been identified in the state’s Central Valley in August.
As per Newsom, “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” US News reported.
How much risk to the public?
Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterated this week that the virus has a low risk to most people.
However, it has not been found that this virus is capable of transmitting from one person to another, and there is no sign that this virus has mutated to live longer and pass between humans easily.
The very same week that California declared a ‘bird flu’ state of emergency…Western Australia began warning citizens of a Christmas ‘Covid wave’ while recommending they isolate, wear a mask, and get a new booster shot. pic.twitter.com/4s4raAjJlP
— Frankie Stockes (@realStockes) December 20, 2024
Specifically, flu specialists concurring with that statement said that it is premature to predict the path the epidemic could follow.
However, experts in viruses do not concur because flu viruses have a high rate of mutation, and small changes can alter the picture entirely.
According to Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, “The entirely unsatisfactory answer is going to be: I don’t think we know yet,” US News reported.
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