Health
State of Emergency in California due to H5N1 bird flu outbreak: how it is transmitted and symptoms
Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the H5N1 avian flu outbreak in California. Here's what you need to know.
On December 18, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California in response to the outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as “bird flu.” This emergency proclamation will provide state and local agencies with additional resources and measures to support the response to the outbreak.
The governor’s decision comes after cases of avian influenza were detected in dairy cows on farms in Southern California, which acccoring to a statement put out by Newsom’s offices requires the state “to further expand monitoring and leverage a coordinated statewide approach to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus.”
Last March, an outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cows was first reported in Texas and Kansas. Since then, 61 total confirmed cases of avian influenza infection in humans have been reported in seven states, including 34 human cases in California. Officials reported that to date, no human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has been detected in the Golden State, and nearly all infected people were in contact with infected cattle.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), avian influenza is a disease caused by infection with avian influenza (flu) type A viruses. According to the health agency, these avian influenza viruses are found naturally among wild waterfowl around the world and can infect domestic poultry, other birds, and other animal species.
How is bird flu transmitted?
The CDC notes that although bird flu viruses do not usually infect people, there have been some rare reports of human infection with these viruses. Although human infection is rare, bird flu viruses can be transmitted from infected birds to humans in several ways:
- Directly from infected birds or from environments contaminated with avian influenza A viruses.
- Through an intermediate host organism, such as another animal.
Nevertheless, human infections can occur, reports the CDC when “enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or when a person inhales the virus.” People who have prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or areas contaminated by their mucus, saliva or feces may be at higher risk for infection.
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Reported symptoms of avian influenza virus infections in humans have ranged from asymptomatic or mild cases, such as red eyes (conjunctivitis) or mild influenza-like upper respiratory tract symptoms, to severe cases, such as pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
In severe cases, symptoms include fever (temperature of 100ºF [37.8ºC] or higher), cough, sore throat, runny or runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
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