Late yesterday two different California counties (Los Angeles & Stanislaus) reported their first human H5 infections. Both, however, have reported the virus in dairy cattle (Stanislaus) and in cats (Los Angeles).
Both cases are described as `mild', and both had direct contact with dairy cattle.
Excerpts from two press releases follow. First this from LA county:
For Immediate Release:
December 23, 2024
Public Health Confirms Human H5 Bird Flu Case in LA County
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed a human case of H5 bird flu in an adult who was exposed to livestock infected with H5 Bird flu at a worksite. This is the first human case of H5 bird flu detected in LA County. The person had mild symptoms, has been treated with antivirals, and is recovering at home. The overall risk of H5 bird flu to the public remains low.
There is currently no evidence of person to person spread of this virus. Close contacts of the infected person and other workers exposed at the worksite are being monitored for symptoms and have been offered personal protective equipment, testing and antiviral prophylaxis. No additional cases have been identified at this time. Public Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on the ongoing investigation.
“People rarely get bird flu, but those who interact with infected livestock or wildlife have a greater risk of infection. This case reminds us to take basic precautions to prevent being exposed,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “People should avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals including cows, poultry, and wild birds; avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products, such as raw milk; and protect pets and backyard poultry from exposure to wild animals. It is also important for everyone to get the seasonal flu vaccine, which can help prevent severe seasonal flu illness and lower the risk of getting both seasonal and bird flu infections at the same time if exposed.”
Symptoms of H5 bird flu in humans include eye redness or discharge, fever, cough or difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle or body aches, diarrhea and vomiting.
People working with infected animals, including cows, poultry, or wildlife, continue to be at higher risk of exposure to H5 bird flu. Public Health has been working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the local LA County agricultural community to ensure key risk groups, including farm workers, workers at dairy, egg, and meat processing facilities and backyard flock owners receive information and resources to help identify and protect against this infection; this includes access to gloves, face masks and eye protection along with access to testing and flu vaccines. Anyone who was exposed to sick animals and is experiencing symptoms of H5 bird flu should immediately contact their health care provider and local health department.
And this from Stanislaus County:
Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed in Stanislaus County
[Click Here For PDF]
Date: 12/23/2024
Contact: Kamlesh Kaur
Phone: (209) 558-6833
STANISLAUS COUNTY—Stanislaus County Public Health, in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has confirmed a human case of H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in a Stanislaus County resident who had contact with infected dairy cattle. The affected individual had mild symptoms and was treated with antiviral medications.
Bird flu is caused by strains of the flu virus that primarily infect birds and can spread quickly among them. They are novel influenza viruses, which differ from the seasonal flu virus strains that commonly circulate among humans. Bird flu can sometimes infect other animals and humans. A strain of bird flu, H5N1, is currently widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in dairy cows and commercial poultry operations in the United States. H5N1 bird flu was first detected in California dairy cows in August 2024.
Unlike the seasonal flu and other respiratory viruses like COVID-19, there is no evidence currently of person-to-person spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus. Instead, nearly all US cases of H5N1 bird flu are linked to direct and close contact with infected animals. The CDC and the CDPH report that the risk to the general public is very low at this time. People interacting with infected animals are at higher risk of getting bird flu. Wearing proper PPE helps prevent infection. Public Health has been actively working alongside industry partners to distribute PPE to farmworkers.
Cows infected with bird flu can shed the virus in their milk. Pasteurized milk and dairy products continue to be safe to consume because pasteurization kills the H5N1 virus and other harmful bacteria and viruses.
"While the risk to the general population remains low, we want to ensure that those working with infected animals take proper precautions by using PPE," stated Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. "Exposed workers who have symptoms can reach out to Public Health if they need assistance getting evaluated and tested."
People exposed to infected animals should monitor for the following symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure: eye redness (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing, and fever. If they start to feel sick, they should immediately isolate, notify Public Health, and work with Public Health and healthcare providers to get timely testing and treatment. Exposed workers with symptoms can notify Stanislaus County Public Health at 209-558-7535 or CDNurse@schsa.org.
Public Health recommends that all residents, especially workers at risk for exposure to bird flu, receive a seasonal flu vaccine. While the vaccine will not protect against bird flu, it can significantly decrease the likelihood of at-risk workers being infected with both viruses at the same time and reduce the chance of severe illness from seasonal flu.
Public health messaging continues to be one of general reassurance, while recommending (mostly high risk agricultural workers) take precautions. It is a difficult mixed message to deliver, as each position tends to undermine the other.
Meanwhile, HPAI H5 marches on.