New H5 cases emerge in California dairy farms

Probable H5 infections identified in California dairy

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has detected four more probable cases of the H5 avian flu in dairy workers, amid ongoing efforts to control the spread within the state’s substantial dairy industry. Confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is awaited, following initial state tests.

This latest development comes after the proactive testing of individuals who were in contact with infected cattle across nine farms. Those tested exhibited only mild symptoms and were not hospitalized, reflecting the nature of the virus's impact so far.

California, known as the nation's largest dairy producer, has been significantly affected, with the USDA confirming 100 cases of H5N1 among dairy cattle since the first outbreak was reported in the Central Valley in late August.

The potential confirmation of these new human cases by the CDC could bring the total number of dairy worker infections in California to 11, marking a significant increase in the spread of the virus.

The delay in the shipment of specimens, caused by last week’s late shipments and a federal holiday, means that the samples are expected to reach the CDC later this week. This situation underscores the challenges in managing infectious diseases within major agricultural operations and highlights the critical role of timely diagnostics and responsive health protocols in mitigating further transmission.