Bird flu, or avian influenza (H5N1), has gripped the U.S. since April 2024, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting more than 61 cases of the virus in humans across the country and California accounting for more than half (34) of these cases.
Now in a statement published on his official website, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to help control the 'Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as Bird Flu.'
The statement also said that this step is being taken after the discovery of cases in dairy cows on farms in Southern California. Since its initial confirmation in Texas and Kansas in March 2024, the virus has been detected among dairy cattle in 16 states.
Bird Flu is a zoonotic virus, naturally present in wild birds that they carry in their intestines without getting sick from it. However, if this virus somehow transfers to domesticated birds like chickens and ducks, bird flu can spread rapidly through droppings, making the birds sick and also killing them.
Bird flu affects us humans when we are exposed to contaminated surfaces (like fresh bird droppings or particles) or, in rare cases, when we consume undercooked poultry and cattle products from infected animals. According to the American Journal of Infection Control, if you properly cook the eggs (to 160°F or 71°C) and then eat them, they should be safe to consume. Bird flu does not transfer from human-to-human contact.
How does bird flu spread, and how to avoid it?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, primarily spreads through direct contact with infected birds or their fluids, like saliva, mucus, or excretion. The virus can contaminate surfaces, equipment, or materials like bird cages and feed, leading to further transmission.
It may also spread when you inhale airborne particles from droppings or contaminated environments. While rare, we can become infected by handling infected birds, touching contaminated surfaces, or consuming undercooked poultry or eggs from infected birds. It can also spread to cattle animals, so it is important to cook their products at the right temperature as well.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, here are some steps to keep in mind to avoid bird flu:
- Wear gloves and a mask while handling any bird stock or cattle. Avoid touching any sick or dead poultry or cattle.
- Ensure that you thoroughly cook eggs and poultry to an internal temperature of at least 160°F or 71°C and that you don't consume raw milk or undercooked cow meat.
- If you are a poultry farmer, watch for signs of illness in your birds and report unusual deaths to local authorities.
- Avoid high-risk areas like live bird markets or areas with reported outbreaks.
What's the treatment for bird flu, and how to know you have it?
If you know that there is an outbreak of bird flu near where you live, you should immediately get yourself tested for bird flu if you suffer from symptoms like pink eye, cough, fever, fatigue, runny nose, and muscle aches.
Your doctor will usually recommend a throat or nasal swab or a swab from your eye to determine whether it actually is bird flu. According to the Cleveland Clinic, identified early, the treatment for bird flu usually includes a course of antiviral medicines that contain active ingredients like oseltamivir, peramivir, and zanamivir. If identified early, you can treat bird flu with antiviral medications.
What measures is the State of California taking to tackle this bird flu outbreak?
According to a statement issued by the Governor, California is working diligently to combat bird flu outbreaks on dairy and poultry farms. To accomplish this, the state is collaborating with local, state, and federal experts, teaching workers and the general public how to keep safe, and distributing millions of PPE items to individuals at high risk.
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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), along with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) as well as the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), are also employing social media to share updates and provide user-friendly resources. They're also ensuring that farm workers have access to additional flu vaccines to lower the risk of contracting both bird flu and the normal flu.
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