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California functionary have declare a state of pinch amid growing fears over avian flu . The computer virus has sweep through dairy herds across the land and caused sporadic cases in homo , with thefirst severe human bird flu showcase in the U.S. report in Louisianaon Wednesday ( Dec. 18 ) .

In astatement release Dec. 18,Governor Gavin Newsom ’s part said that the action came " as caseful were detected in dairy kine on farms in Southern California , signalise the penury to further expound monitoring and build on the coordinated statewide approach to contain and extenuate the facing pages of the computer virus . "

Microscope image of bird flu virus H5N1 in cells

The virus H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza, or bird flu, that spreads primarily through wild and domestic birds. However, it can also jump to mammals, including humans.

To particular date , no person - to - person bed covering of the virus has been report in the U.S. and the bulk of infect individual have had knownexposure to infected cattle or poultry .

Why has California declared a state of emergency?

The computer virus H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza , or skirt grippe . The computer virus is spread primarily through wild and domesticated birds . However , it can also jump to mammal , such as dairy cows and occasionally humans .

Since the beginning of 2024 , a multistate eruption of the virus has affected 866 dairy herds across the U.S. , according to theU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC).Roughly 75 % of these have been in California , for the most part in the land ’s Central Valley .

Related : How to avoid bird flu

a photo of agricultural workers with chickens

Thirty - four of the nation ’s 61 affirm human bird flu cases have also been reported in California , includingthe first septic kid .

Newsom articulate that the pinch proclamation was a proactive quantity to assure state and local agency have the resources and flexibility they demand to respond rapidly to the outbreak .

" While the peril to the public persist low , we will continue to take all necessary steps to foreclose the spread of this virus , " Newsom order in the statement .

Image of five influenza viruses, depicted in bright colors

What are bird flu symptoms?

With the exception of the patient in Louisiana , the majority of human bird flu contagion so far have been mild .

According to theCDC , bird flu may have the following symptom :

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Flu experts have order that it is too other to say whether this could become a more stark outbreak , and influenza viruses are perpetually changing and mutating . A recent study focused on an H5N1 strain from a cow suggested that asingle factor genetic mutation may start the virus to fan out between people , and the infectioncould become more dangerous if it starts to conflate with other seasonal influenza virus . However , the CDC order that the risk to the oecumenical populace is currently still low .

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This clause is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer aesculapian advice .

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