California Declares Emergency As Bird Flu Threatens Dairy Farms And Public Health

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency on Wednesday due to the escalating bird flu crisis. The declaration highlights the significant threat the outbreak poses to both public health and agricultural safety, prompting state authorities to take stronger measures against its spread.

Newsom emphasized that local authorities were overwhelmed by the scale of the outbreak, which has affected dairy farms across the state, particularly in Central California. The flu, which had primarily been confined to animals, has now resulted in 34 human cases since March. The situation worsened when the flu was detected in cows in Southern California on December 12, prompting the shift from regional containment efforts to a statewide response.

California is now the first state to issue such a broad declaration, surpassing Colorado, which declared a targeted emergency in one county. The move allows for more resources from the California Office of Emergency Services to support local authorities with staffing and supplies. Additionally, certain labor regulations have been relaxed to expedite the state’s response.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first severe human case of avian flu, it reassured that human-to-human transmission remains unlikely. Health officials are monitoring the outbreak closely, acknowledging that the virus could mutate and spread more easily.