California Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a state of emergency in response to the rapid spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which has now been found in US dairy cattle. The virus, originally known to infect birds, has made an unprecedented leap to cattle, causing alarm among health experts over its potential to evolve for human transmission.
Despite these concerns, the risk to people is currently deemed low by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with no evidence of human-to-human spread at this time. However, there have been 61 reported human infections nationwide, 34 of which are in California, primarily linked to direct contact with affected animals.
Following recent detections of the virus in Southern California's dairy farms, Newsom's declaration aims to mobilize resources and ensure a swift response from government agencies. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assures that beef and dairy products remain safe for consumption if properly processed, they caution against consuming raw milk due to its lack of pasteurization and potential for containing harmful pathogens.
The situation took a more urgent turn when the CDC reported a severe case of H5N1 infection in a Louisiana resident, marking a significant development in the ongoing outbreak. This situation underscores the importance of heightened surveillance and preventive measures to contain the virus's spread and protect public health.
Despite these concerns, the risk to people is currently deemed low by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with no evidence of human-to-human spread at this time. However, there have been 61 reported human infections nationwide, 34 of which are in California, primarily linked to direct contact with affected animals.
Following recent detections of the virus in Southern California's dairy farms, Newsom's declaration aims to mobilize resources and ensure a swift response from government agencies. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assures that beef and dairy products remain safe for consumption if properly processed, they caution against consuming raw milk due to its lack of pasteurization and potential for containing harmful pathogens.
The situation took a more urgent turn when the CDC reported a severe case of H5N1 infection in a Louisiana resident, marking a significant development in the ongoing outbreak. This situation underscores the importance of heightened surveillance and preventive measures to contain the virus's spread and protect public health.
