Two dairy workers in California have contracted bird flu, marking the 15th and 16th human cases in the U.S. this year and highlighting the growing zoonotic risk of avian influenza.
At a Glance
- Two California dairy workers infected with bird flu, bringing U.S. total to 16 cases this year.
- Infections occurred in Central Valley, affecting over 50 herds since August.
- Workers experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis.
- CDC confirms first positive test results for California, stating public risk remains low.
- Over 250 dairy herds in 14 states infected since March outbreak.
California Workers Contract Bird Flu
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that two dairy workers in California’s Central Valley have tested positive for bird flu. These cases mark the first human infections in the state and bring the total number of human cases in the U.S. this year to 16. The workers, who were employed at different farms with no known connection, experienced mild symptoms including conjunctivitis, indicating that the infections likely occurred through direct contact with infected animals.
The outbreak has affected more than 50 herds in the Central Valley since August, raising concerns about the spread of the virus in the agricultural sector. The CDC maintains that while new cases in people exposed to infected animals are “not unexpected,” the public health risk remains low.
UPDATE: 2 dairy workers in California tests positive for H5N1 bird flu https://t.co/ARAtNddF1r
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) October 3, 2024
Widespread Impact on U.S. Agriculture
The current avian influenza outbreak has had a significant impact on the U.S. agricultural industry. Since March, over 250 dairy herds across 14 states have been infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu. This marks a concerning expansion of the virus, which has primarily affected wild and domestic birds but has now found its way into dairy cattle populations.
Prior to this year, only one human case had been detected in the United States, involving a Colorado poultry worker in 2022. The recent surge in human cases, primarily among workers with animal contact in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas, underscores the increasing zoonotic potential of the virus.
Economic and Health Implications
The spread of bird flu to dairy farms presents significant economic challenges for the agricultural sector. With hundreds of herds affected across multiple states, farmers are facing potential losses and increased costs associated with disease management and prevention measures. The outbreak also raises concerns about the potential impact on milk production and the broader dairy supply chain.
From a public health perspective, while the CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low, the increase in human cases highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and biosecurity measures. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and working to prevent further transmission between animals and humans.
Ongoing Monitoring and Prevention Efforts
As the bird flu outbreak continues to evolve, state and federal agencies are intensifying their efforts to monitor and contain the spread of the virus. The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in collaboration with federal partners, is implementing stringent biosecurity protocols on affected farms and conducting widespread testing to identify and isolate infected animals.
Public health officials are urging farm workers and those in close contact with potentially infected animals to take necessary precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to strict hygiene practices. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of early detection and rapid response to prevent further spread of the virus.
As the agricultural industry grapples with this ongoing challenge, the focus remains on protecting both human and animal health while mitigating the economic impact on affected farmers and the broader agricultural sector.
Sources:
- Two California dairy workers were infected with bird flu, latest human cases in US
- California dairy workers were infected with bird flu, latest human cases in US
- California reports bird flu in two people in contact with infected cows
- California reports likely H5N1 infection in dairy worker
- California investigating possible case of bird flu in dairy worker
- Update: 2 human cases of bird flu confirmed in California. Both work in Central Valley
- California confirms bird flu outbreak in three dairy cow herds
