As the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu continues to spread among California’s dairy herds and migratory birds heading south, health officials released alarming news on Friday: six new confirmed human cases of the infection have been documented, comprising five cases in California and the first known case in Oregon.
A seventh presumptive California case is currently under evaluation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.
California’s state epidemiologist, Erica Pan, offered clarifications regarding the recent surge in reported cases, emphasizing that the five new cases might appear to indicate a sudden outbreak. She explained that the seeming acceleration was due to timing with state reporting deadlines. Three cases were confirmed by the CDC on Wednesday, shortly after California’s reporting cutoff, and two more were verified on Thursday, a day when California does not submit case reports.
“I would still call these sporadic animal or human infections, and there’s still no evidence of any human-to-human transmission,” she stated. “These are all workers who are at risk of exposure based on their occupational exposures.”
Since March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that a total of 52 individuals have been infected by the H5N1 virus, with dairy cattle responsible for 30 of those cases and poultry linked to 21 others. The origin of one case in Missouri remains unidentified.
WastewaterScan — an infectious disease monitoring network led by researchers from Stanford University and Emory University, supported by Verily, Alphabet Inc.’s life sciences organization — is actively monitoring 28 wastewater sites throughout California, revealing that nearly all except seven have detectable levels of H5. While the specific sources of the virus in each system remain uncertain, experts suggest that contamination could arise from unpasteurized milk, wild bird droppings, or improperly discarded animal products.
Cities and municipalities that have reported the presence of the virus since early November include: Gilroy, Indio, Lompoc, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, Marina, Merced, Napa, San Francisco, Ontario, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San José, Santa Cruz, Southeast San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Turlock, and Vallejo.
What precautions does Dr. Erica Pan recommend for the public to prevent H5N1 bird flu infection?
**Interview with Dr. Erica Pan, California’s State Epidemiologist, on H5N1 Bird Flu Cases**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Pan. We’ve seen a concerning rise in H5N1 bird flu cases recently. Can you tell us more about the six new confirmed human cases?
**Dr. Erica Pan:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the recent surge in H5N1 cases is indeed alarming. We confirmed five new cases in California and one in Oregon. These cases underline the importance of being vigilant, especially as migratory birds travel and interact with domestic poultry and livestock.
**Interviewer:** What can you tell us about the nature of these cases? Are these infections linked to specific sources?
**Dr. Erica Pan:** The majority of these cases are associated with direct exposures to infected birds as well as contact with contaminated environments. It’s essential to note that the virus is not easily transmissible between humans, but these cases highlight the risks posed to those who work closely with birds.
**Interviewer:** There is also a seventh case that’s being evaluated, correct? What does that process entail?
**Dr. Erica Pan:** Yes, exactly. The seventh case is currently classified as presumptive, and we’re awaiting confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This involves analyzing samples and reviewing the patient’s exposure history to determine if it indeed involves the H5N1 virus.
**Interviewer:** What precautions can the public take to mitigate the risk of bird flu infection?
**Dr. Erica Pan:** We recommend that people avoid contact with sick or dead birds, and for those who work with poultry or in agricultural settings, enhanced biosecurity measures are crucial. It’s also vital to report unusual bird die-offs to local and state wildlife agencies.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for those insights, Dr. Pan. In terms of public health readiness, how is California positioned to respond to these cases?
**Dr. Erica Pan:** California has a robust framework for monitoring and responding to zoonotic diseases. Our teams are actively collaborating with federal agencies, local health departments, and wildlife organizations to track these cases and educate the public. We are prepared to adapt as this situation evolves.
**Interviewer:** Thank you very much, Dr. Pan, for the critical information. We appreciate your work in keeping us safe.
**Dr. Erica Pan:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we stay informed and vigilant as these developments unfold.