New possible cases identified over three-day stretch following direct contact with infected dairy cows in Central Valley
What You Need to Know: CDPH continues to work with federal, state and local partners to monitor and respond to human cases of bird flu in the state. The risk to the general public remains low, although individuals who interact with infected animals are at higher risk of getting bird flu.
SACRAMENTO – As California continues to proactively test symptomatic individuals for bird flu, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that new possible positive human bird flu cases have been identified in the Central Valley since last Friday. To date, the state has identified six confirmed and five possible human cases. The individuals had direct contact with infected dairy cattle at nine different farms.
The five possible human cases are pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to shipping delays late last week, and today’s federal holiday, the possible (or presumptive positive) specimens are expected to arrive at the CDC early this week.
Given the amount of exposure to infected cows, evidence continues to suggest only animal-to-human spread of the virus in California. Additionally, based on CDC’s genomic sequencing of three California bird flu cases, there is no evidence to suggest an increased ability for the virus to infect or spread between people and no known reduced susceptibility to antiviral medications.
All individuals with confirmed or possible cases of bird flu have experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis), and have been treated according to CDC guidance. None of the individuals have been hospitalized.
While the risk to the general public remains low, additional human cases of bird flu are expected to be identified and confirmed in California among individuals who have regular contact with infected dairy cattle. CDPH continues to work closely with local health jurisdictions to identify, track, test, confirm, and treat possible and confirmed human cases of bird flu.
More information on CDPH’s response can be found at CDPH’s Bird Flu website and in recent CDPH news releases.
