California Declares Emergency as Bird Flu Cases Surge

Governor Gavin Newsom's proclamation aims to bolster state resources as infections rise, with over half of U.S. cases reported in California.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to address increasing bird flu cases, particularly in the dairy and poultry industries.
The state accounts for 34 of the 61 human bird flu cases recorded in the U.S. since the outbreak began in 2022, though no human-to-human transmission has been reported.
Authorities have identified 645 infected dairies in California, with over 100 million birds culled nationwide to contain the virus.
The emergency declaration is a preventative measure to ensure adequate resources and flexibility for government agencies to respond swiftly.
This action follows the first severe U.S. human bird flu infection, reported in Louisiana, highlighting the ongoing risks of the outbreak.