36 Human Cases of H5N1 Bird Flu in California: What the Numbers Reveal

California has ramped up its efforts to combat the spread of H5N1 bird flu by testing milk from all 984 dairies weekly. This initiative follows the detection of the virus on a Southern California farm. The state has identified 659 infected herds, primarily in the Central Valley. The spread has led to 36 human infections, all in dairy workers, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission. State officials are monitoring about 5,000 people and have tested 130 for potential symptoms. Research is ongoing to understand how the virus moves between farms, with concerns that asymptomatic cows might have spread the virus unknowingly. Meanwhile, wastewater testing sites across the state are detecting H5N1, though much of it is likely inactivated viral RNA from pasteurized milk.

Source: https://www.statnews.com/2024/12/20/california-h5n1-bird-flu-emergency-declaration-avian-flu-spread-dairy-cattle/