Key Takeaways:
– Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency due to the expansion of the bird flu outbreak, which has spread from Central Valley dairy herds to Southern California farms.
– This state of emergency brings more funding and resources, including increased staffing and contract provisions, to combat the escalating avian flu threat.
– The first major human infection of bird flu was recorded recently, despite the low risk of public health issue.
– The avian flu has already led to substantial economic loss in the poultry industry, affecting over 124 million poultry in 49 states and 865 dairy herds across 16 states.
– Though the health risk to humans is minimal, the state of emergency aims at curtailing any potential mutation and spread of the avian flu virus.
Bird Flu Spread Triggers State of Emergency
To help combat the quick spreading avian flu virus, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. This move aims to streamline resources and bolster the state’s response. “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Newsom said.
Freeing Up Resources and Funds
The emergency declaration enables the release of state funds and other resources that can assist local and state authorities in hiring additional staff and issuing contracts to halt the spread of the virus. Furthermore, the governor can use the state of emergency to circumvent specific state laws that could potentially slow the state’s response to the outbreak.
Boosting Testing and Identifying Undetected Cases
Another key aim of the declaration is to boost testing capacity, which will help in identifying cases that have possibly slipped under the radar. Currently, there are no reports of the virus reaching dairies in Bay Area, as the names of affected farms are not publicly disclosed.
Risks and Human Health Concerns
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bird flu has a low risk to public health presently. In the U.S this year, 61 human cases of bird flu have been confirmed. The virus is not known to spread among human beings, and cases due to exposure to infected animals remain rare. Where human infections have taken place, the symptoms are usually manageable and mild.
However, the first known severe human infection of bird flu has recently been reported in a patient from southwest Louisiana. The virus strain responsible for this infection is different from the one affecting the dairy cows and farm workers in California.
The Virus and the Food Supply Chain
Bird flu does not spread through the food supply, barring raw milk. Recent studies have found the virus remains infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days but is killed by pasteurization.
Nationwide Impact
With the onset of the virus in 2020, major outbreaks among birds were witnessed across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Arriving in the U.S in early 2022, it affected the country’s most significant poultry farm concentrations, subsequently leading to increased egg prices. Even with immediate security protocols, the disease remains rampant, impacting the dairy cattle population.
The spread of the virus among wild birds and on reaching nearly half of California’s dairy farms raises concerns about its mutation capabilities. Local public health officials appreciate Newsom’s decisive action, emphasizing the necessity to rebuild the public health workforce’s capacity and infrastructure.
Ongoing Federal Efforts
In other efforts to intensify the response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded its new National Milk Testing Strategy to cover 13 states, including eight of the top 15 dairy producers. Dairy processors and farmers may be required to provide raw milk samples on government request. “While the risk to the public remains low,” said Newsom, “we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”