ETIDIOH - NEW

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? -  Persons with occupational exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus–infected dairy cattle are at increased risk for infection. -- What is added by this report? -  During September 30–December 24, 2024, a total of 38 persons received a positive test result for HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in California ; 37 were dairy farm workers with occupational exposure to sick cows. One, a person aged <18 years with an undetermined exposure , was the first pediatric patient detected with influenza A(H5) infection in the United States. -- What are the implications for public health practice? -  Public health agencies should investigate influenza-like illness or conjunctivitis in workers with occupational exposure to animals infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. Thorough investigations of all human HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections are necessary to identify potential exposure sources, including monitoring the virus for co...

Redwood City — State veterinary and health officials have confirmed a case of H5N1 (bird flu) in a domestic stray cat in San Mateo County.  The infection, which is not related to the recent instance of bird flu in a backyard flock , was found in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay that had been taken in by a family .  When it showed symptoms, they took it to Peninsula Humane Society, whose veterinarians examined it and requested testing. Lab results confirmed H5N1.  It is not known how the cat was infected and it was euthanized due to its condition. Cats may be exposed to bird flu by consuming infected bird , being in environments contaminated with the virus and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows or raw food. Inside domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, that go outside are also at risk of infection.​​​​​​​ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of cats spreading H5N1 to people is extremely low, though it is possible for cats to spre...

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N9, Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b and HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b were confirmed in a commercial duck premises in Merced County, CA . This is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI related events. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6201 _____

 {Excerpt} One confirmed human infection with influenza A(H5) virus was reported to CDC this week. To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States. This case was reported by the California Department of Public Health and occurred in a child less than 18 years old with no known contact with influenza A(H5N1) virus-infected animals or humans . The investigation into the source of infection for this case is ongoing , and no human-to-human transmission has been identified. A specimen from the individual was tested at a public health laboratory using the CDC influenza A(H5) assay before being sent to CDC for further testing. The specimen was positive for influenza A(H5) virus using diagnostic RT-PCR at CDC. Additional analysis including genetic sequencing is underway. In response to this detection, additional case investigation and contact monitoring are being conducted by public health officials in California. There have now be...

Current Bird Flu Situation Updated January 15, 2025​ --  ​​​​The current risk to the public remains low.  ​​ -- No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California.  -- People rarely get bird flu , but those who interact​ with infected dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife ​have a greater risk of infection.​​ -- Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.​​ -- CDPH is working to protect public health related to bird flu. We monitor infection data, evolving science, and the people affected. Our knowledge will change as we learn more. We are committed to reducing the impact to those at highest risk. Human Cases in Califo​rnia​ -- ​​​​​​​Confirmed Human Cases​ :  38 {+1} ​These numbers were last updated on January 15, 2025. California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ​probable case definiti...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 10, 2025  *** PRESS RELEASE ***  Contact: SFDPH Media Desk: DPH.Press@sfdph.org  SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) announced today that a presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu has been identified in a San Francisco resident .  The individual is a child who experienced symptoms of fever and conjunctivitis but did not need to be hospitalized and has since fully recovered .  The risk to the general public remains low as there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission .  SFDPH is encouraging people to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, especially wild birds and poultry.  Wild birds can be infected with bird flu even if they do not look sick.  If you have found a dead bird , please contact 311.  In addition, as bird flu continues to spread among U.S. dairy cows, SFDPH strongly recommends that individuals not consume raw milk or raw milk products , inc...

Abstract In 2024, the highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 caused outbreaks in wild birds, poultry, cows, and other mammals in the United States with 61 human cases also reported by the CDC. Detection of influenza A H5 RNA in wastewater has been previously reported in sewersheds in Texas and North Carolina with nearby impacted dairy herds following the emergence of H5N1 in dairy cows. Here, we conduct retrospective testing of total influenza A and H5 hemagglutinin genes in wastewater as well presenting and applying new assays for detection of H1 and H3 genes across a respiratory virus season in an urban California sewershed from September 2023-May 2024. Total influenza A, H1, and H3 were regularly detected, while H5 was first detected in March . We developed a model that uses Monte Carlo simulations and previously published parameters to estimate numbers of infected people, poultry, wild birds, or liters of H5-contaminated milk required to result in measured H5 concentrations in wa...

{Excerpts} -- Five confirmed cases of influenza A(H5) were reported to CDC this week .  -- To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States . Three of these cases were reported by the California Department of Public Health. The cases occurred in workers aged ≥18 years at commercial dairy cattle farms in an area where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses had been detected in cows. The individuals had mild symptoms , which they reported to local health department officials. There have now been 37 total confirmed cases and one probable case in California during the 2024-2025 influenza season. One case was reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health. This case occurred in an individual aged ≥18 years who worked at a poultry facility where HPAI A(H5N1) virus had been identified in birds. This individual developed respiratory symptoms during Week 50 . Specimens were collected from the individual and initiall...

 {Excerpts} SACRAMENTO, the United States -- California's battle against avian influenza A (H5N1) intensified amid spreading infections across dairy farms and a growing number of human infection, including two newly confirmed cases in Stanislaus and Los Angeles counties. The virus, commonly known as bird flu , has infected 659 of California's 984 dairy operations since August, with one-quarter of these cases emerging in the past month alone, according to California authorities. The rapid spread through the state's dairy industry prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency last week to protect agricultural workers and public health. (...) The outbreak's human impact has grown increasingly severe , with California reporting at least 36 confirmed cases -- more than half of the nation's total of 65, according to the latest report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Tuesday, though the actual count is likely higher as recent local confirma...

 {Excerpt} {December 23 '24} The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed a human case of H5 bird flu in an adult who was exposed to livestock infected with H5 Bird flu at a worksite .  This is the first human case of H5 bird flu detected in LA County.  The person had mild symptoms , has been treated with antivirals , and is recovering at home .  The overall risk of H5 bird flu to the public remains low. There is currently no evidence of person to person spread of this virus.  Close contacts of the infected person and other workers exposed at the worksite are being monitored for symptoms and have been offered personal protective equipment, testing and antiviral prophylaxis .  No additional cases have been identified at this time.  Public Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on the ongoing investigation. “People rarely get bird flu, b...

 {Excerpt, edited} Updated December 23, 2024​ --  ​​​The current risk to the public remains low.  ​​ -- No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California.  -- People rarely get bird flu , but those who interact​ with infected dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife ​have a greater risk of infection.​​ -- Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.​​ -- CDPH is working to protect public health related to bird flu. We monitor infection data, evolving science, and the people affected. Our knowledge will change as we learn more. We are committed to reducing the impact to those at highest risk. Human Cases in Califo​rnia​ ​​​​​​​Confirmed Human Cases​ : 37 {+1} ​These numbers were last updated on December 23, 2024. California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ​probable case definition (PDF)​. That ...

 {Excerpt} The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed two cases of H5 bird flu in cats that consumed recalled raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC . In addition, Public Health is investigating three other possible cases of H5 bird flu in three cats from a different household. The confirmed two infected indoor cats from one household consumed raw milk linked to a recall of raw milk and cream products prior to onset of symptoms, which included lack of appetite, fever and neurologic signs. The infected cats died after severe worsening of their illness , and subsequently tested positive for Influenza A, a rare result in cats. Public Health received the results of confirmatory testing, which confirmed the infection of H5 bird flu. Additional pets in the home are under quarantine. Public Health is now investigating additional possible cases of H5 bird flu in three cats from a different household. One cat has tested positive for Influenza A, a rare result in cats. Two other ...

{Excerpt} Three confirmed cases and one probable influenza A(H5) case were reported to CDC this week .  To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States . Two of these confirmed cases were reported by the California Department of Public Health. The cases occurred in a workers aged ≥18 years at a commercial dairy cattle farm in an area where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses had been detected in cows. The individuals had mild symptoms , which they reported to local health department officials. There have now been 34 total confirmed cases and one probable case in California. The other confirmed case was reported by the Louisiana Department of Health. This case occurred in an individual aged ≥18 years . This individual developed respiratory symptoms during week 48 and was hospitalized with their illness. A respiratory specimen was collected at the healthcare facility and tested positive for influenza A, b...

According to CCTV News, on December 18 local time, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California to deal with the increasingly serious avian influenza epidemic . Although there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission in California , 61 people have been infected with avian influenza in the United States, 34 of which are from California . Newsom emphasized that although the risk is low, the government will continue to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus and open funds to support the emergency response of relevant agencies. According to Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement on the 18th saying that the United States reported the first severe case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus . The patient was hospitalized and his infection may be related to contact with sick and dead poultry raised in private backyard farms. The CDC said in a statement that the pati...

 {Excerpt} (Xinhua) 13:20, December 17, 2024 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of California has recalled raw milk produced and packaged by Valley Milk Simply Bottled , a local dairy company based in Stanislaus County, due to detection of bird flu virus . The recall order came following the detection of Influenza-A H5N1 (bird flu) virus in samples taken from a raw milk bulk tank at the Valley Milk Simply Bottled dairy farm , said the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in a release. The order applies to all "Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Cow Milk" and "DESI Milk Raw Cow Milk" distributed in quart, half-gallon, and one-gallon plastic jugs with a code date marked on the container of DEC 23 2024 through DEC 30 2024. CDFA urged consumers not to consume any product remaining in their refrigerators. No illnesses have been reported in the state yet. (...) Source: People's Daily,  http://en.people.cn/n3/2024/1217/c90000-20254910.html   __...

Two cases of bird flu have been reported in San Joaquin County, California, local health officials said. According to a press release issued Friday and reported by the Sacramento Bee , health officials with San Joaquin County Public Health Services said both cases were farm workers who were exposed to infected animals . Both people are showing mild symptoms and are recovering, officials said, adding that there are 34 total confirmed cases across California. In a warning posted on Facebook, health officials said bird flu was “spreading in several farms such as poultry and cattle” and urged residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Precautions include the use of protective equipment when handling poultry, dairy cattle or other animals that may be infected, and when handling raw and unpasteurized milk. (...) There are currently 60 confirmed cases of bird flu in the country . While most of the cases are in California , other states with confirmed cases include Col...

 Source: Department of Health,  LINK  <||> {Excerpt} Updated December 13, 2024​  * ​​The current risk to the public remains low. * No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California. * People rarely get bird flu , but those who interact​ with infected dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife ​have a greater risk of infection.​​ * Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.​​ * CDPH is working to protect public health related to bird flu. We monitor infection data, evolving science, and the people affected. Our knowledge will change as we learn more . We are committed to reducing the impact to those at highest risk. Human Cases in Califo​rnia​ ​​​​​​​Confirmed Human Cases​:  34 {+2}  ​These numbers were last updated on December 13, 2024. California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ​pr...