California: 14th HPAI H5 Human Infection Reported by Merced County

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The USDA has updated their list of HPAI affected herds across the country, incrementing California to 133 confirmed infections.  The announcement last week from Michigan of their 30th infection has yet to make that list. 

Due to a chronic lack of testing, these numbers are thought to be substantial undercount of the true extent of the virus's spread in livestock. 

Meanwhile, Merced County announced their first HPAI H5 infection - and California's 14th in just 3 weeks - in the following press release.   Details, including symptoms experienced by this individual, are noticeably scant.

Posted on: October 21, 2024

First Confirmed Human Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in Merced County

The Merced County Department of Public Health in coordination with the California Department of Public Health has confirmed its first human case of H5N1 bird flu. 

The individual had direct exposure to infected cattle at a Merced County dairy farm. The case was detected based on symptoms from direct exposure and confirmed by laboratory test results. All known contacts exposed to cattle infected with H5N1 have been notified and are actively being monitored for symptoms of illness. At this time, the risk to the general public remains low.

Individuals can become exposed to the H5N1 virus through direct contact with infected animals such as birds or cattle—alive or dead, their contaminated bedding, feed, water troughs, and other contaminated surfaces. The risk of human infection of avian influenza is low, and human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is rare. Symptoms of H5N1 infection are consistent with acute respiratory tract infections including, but not limited to:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue 
• Muscle or body aches
• Conjunctivitis (eye discharge) 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Individuals who are exposed to H5N1 and develop symptoms should seek treatment as soon as possible through their primary care provider or the Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). Individuals exposed to infected H5N1 birds or cattle should be monitored for 10 days after their last day of exposure to the sick/dead animals or any potentially contaminated surfaces. MCDPH is monitoring for H5N1 due to its presence in the Central Valley and encourages the influenza vaccine for everyone—including those at increased risk, that work with dairy or poultry. Healthcare providers are urged to remain vigilant for symptoms and follow up with further evaluation to rule out bird flu. 

For the latest updates related to H5N1 or any health issue in Merced County, please visit @MercedCountyDPH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

For more information on avian influenza, please visit: 

1. California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Avian and Novel Influenza Quicksheet
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Avian Flu