13 human cases of H5N1 bird flu now confirmed in California with 124 dairy herds infected and hundreds of cows dying
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 19, 2024 2 days, 21 hours, 26 minutes ago
Medical News: California is facing a significant health and agricultural crisis, as 13 human cases of the H5N1 bird flu have been confirmed across the state. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported that these cases stem from individuals in the Central Valley who had direct contact with infected dairy cattle.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/Bird-Flu.aspx
13 human cases of H5N1 bird flu now confirmed in California with 124 dairy herds infected and hundreds of cows dying per day
After additional testing conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases were verified. Fortunately, none of the infected individuals required hospitalization, with symptoms limited to mild effects such as eye redness or discharge.
This
Medical News report will discuss the situation further and provide details about how it’s affecting both human health and the dairy industry in California. Despite the alarming situation, the CDPH reassures that the virus seems to be transmitted only from animals to humans, with no signs that it can spread from person to person.
Health Risks and Tracking the Spread
While the virus does not appear to spread easily between humans, the CDPH has emphasized that sporadic cases are still likely to emerge. People who work closely with infected cattle are at the highest risk, with those in California's agricultural heartland, particularly the Central Valley, most affected. Since the outbreak, the CDPH has been working closely with local health authorities to monitor, track, and respond to new cases. They are actively identifying, testing, and treating any potential human infections.
So far, the bird flu has been confirmed in cattle herds across 14 states, but California has been the hardest hit. A total of 124 dairy herds in the state have been infected, contributing to significant disruptions in milk production and causing alarm in agricultural communities.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/HPAI.html
Disturbing Scenes on California Dairy Farms
Beyond the human cases, the impact on dairy farms has been devastating. Hundreds of cows are dying each day, with mortality rates on California farms soaring to as high as 20%. This is an alarming contrast to other states where the death rate hovers around just 2%. The most affected area is Tulare County in the San Joaquin Valley, one of California's largest agricultural regions and a key contributor to the state's dairy industry.
Disturbing images on social media have shown dead cows left to rot in the sun on overwhelmed dairy farms.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/california-h5n1-updates-6-humans-infected-100-da
iry-herds-affected,-dead-cows-now-being-dumped-on-roadsides
The rapid spread of the virus has caused such a surge in cattle deaths that many farms are struggling to manage the carcasses. The open-air decomposition of these animals poses additional risks as scavengers can spread the infection to other wildlife.
These decomposing bodies also create challenges for disposal, as farms may be unable to send the carcasses for rendering - a process where dead animals are converted into pathogen-free feed protein. The overwhelmed farms are facing a potential ecological disaster as they try to cope with the outbreak.
Bird Flu's Economic Toll on California’s Dairy Industry
California is the top milk-producing state in the U.S., and this outbreak could severely impact the dairy supply chain. As the bird flu devastates herds, the economic toll is mounting. Dairy farms are losing not only animals but also revenue from milk production, putting pressure on local economies that rely heavily on agriculture.
Although federal and state health officials are doing their best to control the spread, farmers are calling for urgent assistance to manage the crisis and prevent further losses.
Conclusion: Precaution and Continued Monitoring
Though the confirmed human cases have only shown mild symptoms, the situation remains concerning due to the possibility of future cases and the severe impact on California’s dairy industry. The rapid spread of the virus in cattle, paired with the alarming death rates, highlights the need for continued monitoring and preventative measures. Public health and agricultural officials are actively collaborating to reduce both human and animal exposure, but the crisis is far from over.
For the latest H5N1 updates on this ongoing outbreak, including future human and animal cases, keep on logging into Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-h5n1-bird-flu-concerns-in-missouri-as-health-care-workers-show-symptoms
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-evolution-of-avian-influenza-h5n1-a-growing-threat-in-the-usa-and-beyond
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