October 22, 2024: (CDFA Media Release) H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in One Hundred Thirty-Three Dairies in California: Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed H5N1 Bird Flu in one hundred thirty-three (133) dairies in Central California. CDFA has implemented a surveillance strategy with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. Early detection provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.

Bird Flu in Humans
As of October 18, 2024, CDPH has confirmed thirteen (13) human cases of bird flu in California. All individuals had contact with animals at different farms and all have experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis). None of the individuals have been hospitalized. While the risk to the general public remains low, additional human cases of bird flu are expected to be identified and confirmed in California among individuals who have contact with infected dairy cattle. CDPH recommends that personal protective equipment (PPE), such as eye protection (face shields or safety goggles), respirators (N95 masks), and gloves be worn by anyone working with animals or materials that are infected or potentially infected with the bird flu virus. Wearing PPE helps prevent infection. Please see CDPH’s Worker Protection from Bird Flu for full PPE guidance. For the latest updates from CDPH, visit Bird Flu (ca.gov).

October 3, 2024: CDPH Investigating Human Cases of Bird Flu: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed two human cases of H5N1 in individuals who had contact with infected dairy cattle in the Central Valley. You can read more here.

October 1, 2024: California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Current H5N1 Bird Flu Situation: For up to date information on bird flu detections in livestock or poultry, please see California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Avian Influenza Updates​. 

CDPH is working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and cattle. Please check back frequently as information will be updated as it becomes available.​​

To date there have not been any confirmed human infections of bird flu in California, and the current risk to the public remains low.​ 

Individuals with close contact to infected birds or other animals, such as livestock or wildlife, have a greater risk of infection.​​

October 1, 2024: California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Bovine Health Alert: H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in Forty-Four Dairies in California: Following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and rapid disease detection by California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in forty-four dairies in Central California. CDFA has implemented a surveillance strategy with the goal of finding affected farms as early as possible. Early detection provides the opportunity to work with farms to quickly implement enhanced biosecurity, cow care, and employee protection.

This nationwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1 began in poultry in 2022 and was first detected in US dairy cattle in March 2024. All national detections in cattle can be found on the USDA website at the following link: HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov). Note that the website is updated at noon Eastern Standard Time.

All affected dairies have been placed under quarantine. Enhanced biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Sick cows are isolated and being treated at the dairies. Most infected livestock and dairy cattle can fully recover from HPAI infection within a few weeks.

California’s supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. Healthy cows have been cleared to continue shipping milk for pasteurization. Pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus, so there is no cause for concern for consumers of milk or dairy products that have undergone this process. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume.

No human cases of HPAI related to this incident have been confirmed in California. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this influenza virus is not considered a significant public health threat, and the risk to humans continue to be considered low.

This nationwide outbreak of HPAI in dairy cattle began in March 2024 and all detections can be found on the USDA website under: HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov).

August 30, 2024: The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has confirmed the presence of H5N1 Avian Influenza in three California dairy herds. Dairy operators contacted CDFA when cows began showing clinical signs of H5N1 on August 15. You can read more here.

August 29, 2024: Possible H5N1 Symptoms Reported: Reports indicate that three California dairy herd operators have reported avian flu-like symptoms to their veterinarian. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is or will soon be conducting testing to determine the presence of avian flu, with results expected during the week of September 2.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports 13 human cases of H5N1 avian flu nationally, four of which followed reports of exposure to infected dairy cows. In all four cases, symptoms have been reported as minor eye irritation and minor upper respiratory symptoms.

In addition to normal biosecurity and zoonotic disease prevention protocols, dairy operators may wish to proactively acquire personal protective equipment for persons in contact with possibly infected dairy cows through the California Department of Public Health’s Medical and Health Operational Coordination (MHOAC) system or through their local health services or local health offices.

Appropriate uses of PPE for employees working with infected animals might include N95 respirators offered to employees for use under voluntary respirator use rules, or face shields to prevent ocular exposure.

July 12, 2024: New Cal/OSHA Resources Page on Avian Flu: Cal/OSHA has published a new webpage on avian influenza (H5N1) which is endemic in migratory bird populations and has infected some poultry flocks and dairy herds in the U.S.  Four known cases of transmission from infected dairy cows to human dairy employees have occurred.  Most cases have been confined to symptoms of conjunctivitis, but one case also included respiratory symptoms.  No known H5N1 infections have occurred in California poultry flocks or dairy herds.  The agency notes California occupational safety and health regulations would apply in situations where poultry or dairy employees could be exposed to H5N1.

May 30, 2024: California Department of Public Health HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Distribution: Annette Jones, DVM, State Veterinarian and Directer of Animal Health and Food Safety Services for the California Department of Food and Agriculture sent the following message with livestock industry contacts:  As many of you may know, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory on April 5, 2024 regarding a confirmed human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus, and on May 22, 2024, a second case in the United States following exposure to infected dairy cattle has been confirmed. To date, HPAI has not been detected in dairy cattle in California. CDC and CDPH believe that the risk of infection to the general public is low.  However, individuals with close exposure to infected birds or other animals, such as livestock, have a greater risk of infection. As recommended by the CDC on May 6, 2024 , CDPH is supporting a one-time distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) for dairy farmworkers and others handling raw milk, as well as slaughterhouse and poultry workers.  CDPH is working closely with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) around PPE distribution to farms and agricultural workers. The idea is to get supplies closer to where needed ahead of increased risk in an enhanced preparedness stance, demonstrating our shared prioritization of worker wellbeing.  For facilities interested in ordering a one-time supply of PPE, please refer to Facility PPE Ordering Instructions. The deadline for orders is June 9th. 

In a subsequent message, Michael Payne of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program and UC Davis added some helpful context: CDFA is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for a one-time distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for dairy farmworkers and others handling raw milk, as well as slaughterhouse and poultry workers. Because “Bird Flu” in dairy cattle has not yet been recognized in California, there are currently no requirements for use of additional PPE for the State’s dairy employees. This PPE distribution is intended to allow for 30 days of PPE to be stored on the farm, ready for use in the event that a California dairy tests positive. The distribution also demonstrates to public health regulators and the public that industry values preparedness and prioritizes protecting employees. The distribution is free and is coming from existing public health stockpiles, however the deadline for ordering is June 9^th. More detailed information is provided by Dr. Jones in her email below and in the attachments.

How Much PPE to Ask For?

The intention is to store 30 days of PPE for employees who handle raw milk. In our case this could be milkers, certainly hospital pen workers and potentially calf feeders. Which employees are relevant and which PPE to request could be discussed with your herd veterinarian.

One example for a dairy with 10 relevant workers could be: 300 disposable N95 masks. (30 days x 10 employees X 1mask/day); 600 disposable nitrile gloves (30 x 2/pair x 10 employees); 10 goggles (one personal set of goggles for every employee potential with exposure. Not to be shared. Given that the only two cases of HPAI in dairy workers have been eye infection, (potentially from splashes or touching the eyes with hands contaminated with milk) goggles or face shields may be the most protective of the requested PPE items.   

The above is only an example. Each farm’s PPE needs may be different, and may vary from CDC’s farm worker recommendations. There are other options available, including face shields and disposable bouffant caps. Unless human risk profiles in this disease change, producers will probably want to avoid Power Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) which require batteries and fit testing. Producers with questions can consult their herd veterinarian, their local CDFA veterinary medical officer or CDQAP.

May 10, 2024: CDC Asks States to Distribute Stockpiled PPE to Dairies: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has asked states to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) from state stockpiles to operators of poultry farms, dairy farms and farmworker organizations. California currently (as of the date of this posting) has no known cases of H5N1.  Absent confirmed or suspected H5N1, (animals showing signs of infection per the opinion of a veterinarian), scarce resources should be held in the event of confirmed infection.  Should an agricultural employer wish to provide PPE like an N95 respirator, employers can permit their use following voluntary use guidelines in Appendix D, Title 8 5144, Cal/OSHA respiratory protection program.  

April 19, 2024: CDPH Recommendations for Protecting Dairy Employees from H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenze (HPAI): The California Department of Public Heath has issued the following recommendations for protection of dairy employees over the signature of Kristin J. Commings, Chief of CDPH’s Occupational Health Branch.  CDPA recommends employers should take measures to protect workers from avian influenza virus infection if livestock become sick and you suspect or know it to be due to avian influenza infection. 

March 25, 2024: USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1: Following the first detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the Texas panhandle region, USDA and HHS began their work to understand the origin of the emergence and its potential impact in bovines and humans. USDA experts also took swift action to trace animal movements, began sampling to assess the disease prevalence in herds, and initiated a variety of testing activities to confirm the safety of the meat and milk supplies alongside federal partners. On April 1, 2024, Texas reported the first and only confirmed human H5N1 infection associated with this outbreak, after confirmation by CDC. On April 24, 2024, USDA issued a Federal Order, that took effect on April 29, to limit the movement of lactating dairy cattle and to collect and aggregate H5N1 test results to better understand the nature of the outbreak. Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle, the Federal response has leveraged the latest available scientific data, field epidemiology, and risk assessments to mitigate risks to workers and the general public, to ensure the safety of America’s food supply and to mitigate risk to livestock, owners, and producers. Today, USDA is taking a series of additional steps to help achieve these goals and reduce the impact of H5N1 on affected premises and producers, and HHS is announcing new actions through the CDC and FDA to increase testing and laboratory screening and testing capacity, genomic sequencing, and other interventions to protect the health and safety of dairy and other potentially impacted food items.