California declares state of emergency over bird flu

https://www.rawstory.com/bird-flu-2670492263/

California declares state of emergency over bird flu

Erik De La Garza
December 18, 2024 5:06PM ET

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) officially declared a state of emergency over bird flu concerns Wednesday, a step he said was necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

The bird flu disease – known as Type A H5N1 – has already appeared among dairy cattle in 16 states and has been spreading rapidly in California, Newsom said in a news release. The state’s agriculture department found the virus in 645 dairies — about half of which were identified in the last 30 days, The New York Times reported.

Newsom’s action comes as the first severe bird flu case requiring hospitalization in the United States was reported in Louisiana, the publication added.

Texas is thought to have been the starting ground for the outbreak in dairy cattle early this year, according to the Times. It added that 865 infected herds have been identified throughout 16 states as of Wednesday.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also confirmed H5N1 infection in 61 people, and indicated another seven as ‘probable’ cases,” according to the publication.

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(Here it comes…)