California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to a growing bird flu outbreak that devastated the dairy industry. The H5N1 virus, initially a threat to wild birds, has spread to 645 dairy herds in California, more than in any other U.S. state, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The declaration grants state and local authorities additional resources and flexibility to manage the outbreak, including hiring personnel, issuing contracts, and scaling testing and containment efforts. “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Governor Newsom said, adding that while the risk to the public remains low, immediate action is essential to prevent further spread.
From Wild Birds to Dairy Cattle
H5N1, which has circulated in wild birds in the U.S. since 2022, mutated in late 2023 to infect cattle. The virus first appeared in herds in the Texas Panhandle, then spread to Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, and other states. California reported its first infected herd in August, and cases have surged in recent weeks, with half of the infections identified in the last month alone.
California’s dairy industry, the largest in the nation, accounts for roughly 20% of the country’s milk supply. The state’s robust testing and monitoring infrastructure have played a key role in identifying and tracking the spread of the virus. Despite these efforts, California has already issued recalls for raw milk products from two companies after detecting the virus in samples.
H5N1 infections in dairy herds are particularly concerning as they significantly depart from the virus’s usual hosts. Cattle are not typically susceptible to this type of influenza, but the virus’s recent mutations have enabled its jump across species, raising alarms among scientists and public health officials.
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Public Health Implications
While the virus poses minimal risk to the average person, experts warn that its spread among diverse species, including wild birds, poultry, and now dairy cattle, creates opportunities for the virus to evolve into a more transmissible form.
“All these infections in so many species around us are paving a bigger and bigger runway for the virus to evolve to infect humans better and transmit between humans potentially,” said Dr Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
California has also reported human cases of bird flu, including a child in Alameda County who tested positive earlier this month. Another child is suspected to have contracted the virus through raw milk consumption, although confirmation is pending. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 61 human infections, including over 30 cases linked to direct contact with infected cattle.
Emergency Measures and Next Steps
The state of emergency allows California to expand its response to the outbreak, leveraging resources for increased testing and containment. The CDC has also announced plans to test the national milk supply for H5N1, requiring farmers and processors to provide raw milk samples upon request.
Seasonal flu vaccines do not protect against H5N1. However, a national stockpile of H5N1-specific vaccines is available, and additional formulations are under development for potential use in humans and cattle.
Experts have praised California’s proactive measures, calling the state’s response a model for addressing agricultural outbreaks with pandemic potential. “California has been a leader in looking for the infections,” said Dr. Bhadelia. “The emergency powers will allow greater coordination and ability to apply more funds.”
The Broader Context
As of Wednesday, 865 infected herds had been identified across 16 states. While the outbreak originated in cattle in Texas, it has since spread to wild birds, poultry, domestic cats, and even raccoons, highlighting the interconnected risks across species.
California’s declaration marks a pivotal moment in the national response to H5N1. The state’s dairy industry plays a critical role in the nation’s food supply, so its efforts to contain the virus will likely have far-reaching implications.
Governor Newsom affirmed, “We will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus. ” As the situation unfolds, California’s approach will serve as a benchmark for balancing agricultural protection, public health, and economic stability.