The first human case of H5N1 infection, commonly known as avian influenza or avian influenza, was confirmed in Los Angeles County, California, in connection with an adult exposed to livestock.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said the man who contracted the bird flu had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral drugs, and is now recovering at home.
Although this is the first human case in the county, public health officials say the overall risk of H5 avian influenza to the general public remains low and there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus. added.
Still, close contacts of infected people and other employees in the workplace are being monitored for symptoms and provided with testing, antiviral prophylaxis, and personal protective equipment.
Governor Newsom declares state of emergency in California due to bird flu
The CDC announced Wednesday that a critically ill patient with H5N1 infection was hospitalized in Louisiana. (Reuters/Dado Ruvik/Illustration/File photo)
This incident is part of an ongoing investigation involving the county public health department, the California Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Although it is rare for humans to contract avian influenza, people who come into contact with infected domestic or wild animals are at increased risk of infection. ,” said Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis. “People should avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals such as cattle, poultry, and wild birds, avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products such as raw milk, and keep pets and backyard poultry in the wild. They should be protected from contact with animals.”
Davis also encouraged the public to get the seasonal influenza vaccine, saying the vaccine can help prevent severe seasonal influenza and reduce the risk of contracting seasonal influenza and avian influenza at the same time if infected. said it was helpful.
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Color transmission electron micrograph of avian influenza A H5N1 virus (gold) grown in MDCK cells (green). (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Symptoms of avian influenza in humans include red eyes or discharge, fever, cough or difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
The news comes days after California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency due to bird flu.
Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency after an outbreak of the virus among dairy cows at a Southern California farm.
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At least two farmworkers have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza this year. (St. Petersburg)
Bird flu has been confirmed in cattle in 16 U.S. states after it was first reported in Texas and Kansas in March, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“This declaration is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to quickly respond to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement.
Also, the first case of severe avian influenza in a human patient was confirmed in Louisiana last week, according to the CDC.
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Health authorities insisted that the “current public health risk is low” but said they were “closely monitoring the situation”.
Fox News Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
