California H5N1 updates - 6 humans infected, 100 dairy herds affected, dead cows now being dumped on roadsides!

H5N1 News: The state of California is facing a significant rise in H5N1 bird flu infections, impacting both dairy herds and farm workers. Health officials recently confirmed two new cases of bird flu in dairy farm workers, increasing the total number of infected humans in California to six. This brings the total number of human infections in the United States this year to 20. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ten of these cases were related to exposure to infected poultry, nine were connected to sick or infected dairy cows, and one case in Missouri had no known contact with infected animals.
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-10112024.html
 

California H5N1 updates - 6 humans infected, 100 dairy herds affected, dead cows
now being dumped on roadsides

The CDC has determined that all six of California’s cases were likely the result of direct exposure to infected animals. Fortunately, the infected individuals have only experienced mild symptoms, such as eye redness or conjunctivitis. None of them required hospitalization. This H5N1 News report will explore the ongoing situation with the bird flu outbreak in California and its broader implications for public health and the dairy industry.
 
Spread of the Virus in Dairy Cows
While bird flu typically affects poultry, California is now dealing with the virus’s spread among its dairy herds. As of October 11th, 100 dairy herds in California had tested positive for H5N1.
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-10112024.html#:~:text=Last%20week%2C%20USDA%20reported%2056,of%2018.75%20million%20birds%20affected.
 
With approximately 1,100 herds and 1.7 million cows, the state contributes around 20% of the country’s milk supply. This raises concerns over the potential impact on milk production and pricing.
 
Veterinarians and farmers are alarmed by the high mortality rates among infected cows. Many farms report steep drops in milk production, which could lead to shortages in the future. Michael Payne, a researcher from University of California Davis, has voiced concerns that the situation could worsen before it improves, especially if the virus continues to spread among dairy farms. Although the bird flu outbreaks have had minimal impact on overall milk production, experts fear that the virus’s spread could have a more significant effect in the weeks to come.
 
Economic and Market Impact
So far, the bird flu outbreaks have not drastically affected milk prices, but experts are cautious about the future. Daniel Sumner, an agricultural economist from UC Davis, explained that while California has seen several dairy herds infected, there has been little impact on the industry as a whole. The lack of widespread bird flu cases outside California has also helped to stabilize milk prices across the country.

However, Nathaniel Donnay, a director of dairy market insights at StoneX, warns that even small disruptions in supply or demand could have a substantial impact on prices. With about 4.8% of the nation’s dairy cows already infected, Donnay suspects that the actual number may be even higher due to unreported cases. The significant drop in milk production at individual farms, which can exceed 70%, is cause for concern.
 
Although the national impact has been relatively small, Donnay estimates that bird flu in dairy cattle could reduce U.S. milk production by 0.5% to 0.8% in October, a number that could rise if more herds are affected. For there to be a noticeable effect on milk supply, about 500 or more herds would need to become infected within a single month.
 
Shocking Discovery of Infected Cows on Roadsides
In a disturbing development, veterinarian Crystal Heath recently discovered piles of dead cows infected with H5N1 left along the roadside in Tulare, California. The footage shows these cows lying exposed without any warning signs or biosecurity measures in place.
https://x.com/drcrystalheath/status/1844159682757177353
 
Heath expressed concerns about the potential for wildlife to come into contact with the infected carcasses, further spreading the virus. Cats, for instance, are known to be susceptible to bird flu, and many die after consuming raw milk from infected cows.
 
Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies, confirmed that the dead cows were infected with avian influenza. She attributed the improper handling of the carcasses to an overwhelming number of deaths, which has caused delays in rendering trucks that process the bodies. Raudabaugh emphasized the urgent need for more resources to help deal with the growing crisis, stating that the dairy industry is “desperately overwhelmed.”
 
Concerns About Future Spread
The growing number of bird flu infections among dairy cattle has raised alarms about the possibility of the virus mutating to a form that could easily spread among humans. Jeremy Rossman, a senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent, voiced his concerns about the situation, stating that ongoing transmission in cattle could allow the virus to mutate and become airborne between mammals. If this happens and the virus maintains its high fatality rate, the results could be devastating.
 
Although no human-to-human transmission of bird flu has been detected so far, experts remain cautious. The virus’s ability to infect both cows and humans poses a significant risk, particularly if preventive measures are not adequately enforced. Currently, infections in humans have been mild, but the potential for a more serious outbreak remains a significant concern.
 
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for the Dairy Industry and Public Health
As the bird flu outbreak continues to affect dairy farms in California and other states, the situation remains precarious. While milk production and prices have yet to be significantly impacted on a national scale, the growing number of infected farms raises concerns about the future. If more herds become infected, we may see a substantial reduction in milk supply, which could lead to higher prices and increased economic pressure on farmers.
 
The improper handling of infected carcasses, as seen in California, further complicates efforts to contain the virus. The potential for wildlife to spread the disease is alarming, and more stringent biosecurity measures are urgently needed to prevent the situation from worsening. Public health officials are working hard to monitor human infections, but the possibility of the virus mutating into a form that can spread easily between people is a troubling thought.
 
For now, the immediate risk to the general population remains low. However, with 20 human infections and hundreds of infected dairy herds across the U.S., it’s clear that the bird flu outbreak is far from over. Farmers, veterinarians, and health officials must continue to work together to contain the virus and prevent it from causing further harm.
 
For the latest H5N1 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
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