CA Dairy Worker Expresses Bird Flu Symptoms

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is investigating a possible case of bird flu in a worker at a Central Valley dairy facility. The individual, who had contact with infected dairy cattle, reported mild symptoms, including eye redness. Testing is underway to confirm the diagnosis, but officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low.

Farmers, especially those working with poultry or livestock, should take extra precautions to prevent infection. CDPH recommends wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, and goggles, when working around potentially infected animals.

While this is the first potential human case in California, bird flu outbreaks in dairy cattle occurred across several states. California has been a hot bed as of late with 52 livestock herds affected in the past 30 days as of October 1. That number is high, in part, due to large amounts of testing that has gone on in the state.

The message remains strong to consumers that pasteurized milk and dairy products continue to be safe to consume, as pasteurization is fully effective at inactivating the bird flu virus. As an added precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is not permitted in the public milk supply.