The most recent update from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that 213 dairy herds in 14 US states have confirmed cases of avian influenza (bird flu).
This comes at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed more bird flu outbreaks in dairy cattle in California, bringing the total cases detected this month to eight.
California is the 14th state to announce H5N1 cases in dairy cows since the outbreak was first identified in March.
Since April 2024, 14 human cases of avian influenza A(H5) virus infection have been reported in the US.
Four of these cases were associated with exposure to sick dairy cows and nine were associated with exposure to avian influenza virus-infected poultry.
The source of the exposure of one recent case, which was reported by Missouri on September 6, has not been determined.
The patient, who was hospitalised, had underlying medical conditions, was treated with influenza antiviral medications, subsequently discharged, and has recovered.
Based on available data, the CDC’s current assessment is that the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low.
Bird flu
Since April 2023, there have been bird flu detections in 36 commercial flocks, and 22 backyard flocks, for a total of 18.68 million birds affected, according to the USDA.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), state public health and animal health officials, and other partners using a ‘One Health’ approach.
As a reminder, CDC recommends that people should avoid exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals.
People who have job-related contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals are advised to be aware of the risk of exposure and take “proper precautions”.
