California Faces Rising Human Bird Flu Cases Linked to Dairy Farms

Health officials confirm additional infections among farm workers, highlighting ongoing animal-to-human transmission risks.

California has confirmed six human cases of H5N1 bird flu among dairy farm workers, contributing to a total of 20 cases nationwide this year.
All cases in California are linked to direct contact with infected dairy cattle, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Symptoms in infected individuals have been mild, including conjunctivitis, with no hospitalizations reported.
Genetic sequencing shows no mutations in the virus that would increase its ability to spread between humans or resist antiviral treatments.
California health authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have secured additional flu vaccines for farm workers to mitigate risks.