California Confirms First Human Bird Flu Cases Linked to Dairy Cows

Two dairy workers in California's Central Valley have tested positive for H5N1 bird flu, marking the state's first human infections in the ongoing outbreak.

• The two infected individuals worked at separate dairy farms with no known connection, indicating independent animal-to-human transmission.
• Both workers exhibited mild symptoms, primarily conjunctivitis, and neither required hospitalization.
• Health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low, though farm workers are at higher risk.
• The CDC is collaborating with California health officials to monitor and manage the spread of the virus from animals to humans.
• This year, 16 human cases of bird flu have been reported in the U.S., with infections linked to both dairy cows and poultry.

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