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Bird flu

En EspaƱol: Para obtener informaciĆ³ā€‹n sobre la influenza aviar en EspaƱol, visite nuestra pĆ”gā€‹ina de gripe aviarā€‹. ā€‹

Current Bird Flu Situation

Updated November 18, 2024ā€‹

  • ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹The current risk to the public remains low.  ā€‹ā€‹

  • No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California. 

  • People rarely get bird flu, but those who interactā€‹ with infected dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife ā€‹have a greater risk of infection.ā€‹ā€‹

  • Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.

Human Cases in Califoā€‹rnia

ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹Confirmed Human Cases
27

ā€‹These numbers were last updated on November 18, 2024.

California has 1 additional probable case with dairy cow exposure that meets the  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ā€‹probable case definition (PDF)ā€‹. That case tested positive by a local lab and confirmatory testing at CDC was negative.ā€‹ā€‹

ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, submit an inquiry. 

If youā€™re a member of the media and have a question for CDPH, email Media@cdph.ca.govā€‹.

Californiaā€™s Response


  • CDPH is working with local, state and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows.

  • California has distributed protective gear to dairy farms and workers. People who work with infected dairy cows or raw milk should use protective gear to reduce the risk of getting bird flu.

  • Public health leaders are helping ensure individuals with symptoms of bird flu have access to testing and treatment, if needed.

  • California has received 5,000 additional seasonal flu vaccines for people who work with dairy cows in the Central Valley. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against serious illness from seasonal flu and may reduce the chance of human and bird flu viruses mixing and becoming more dangerous.

  • Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Visit MyTurn to schedule your appointment today.


ā€‹ā€‹What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza A (H5N1) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is caused by a virus that can cause serious illness and death in birds and mammals. Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, but they can happen when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, mouth, or when inhaled. 

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

  • ā€‹Eye redness or discharge. 

  • Cough.

  • Sore throat.

  • Runny or stuffy nose.

  • Diarrhea.

  • Vomiting.

  • Muscle or body aches.

  • ā€‹Headaches.

  • Fatigue.

  • Trouble breathing.

  • Fever (100 Ā°F or higher).

  • Pneumonia.

  • Seizuresā€‹

Symptoms can be serious and lead to death.

Who is at higher risk of getting bird flu?

You are at higher risk if you work with or are around poultry, dairy cows, alpacas, wildlife or raw (unpasteurized) milk. This includes any contact with animal fluids, feces, or feathers.

Examples of those at higher risk include:

Farmworkers who: 

  • Work with dairy cows. 

  • Work with poultry. 

  • Handle raw dairy products. 

  • Work in slaughterhouses. 

  • Work in hatcheries.

Wildlife Workers: 

  • Wildlife rehabilitation center staff and volunteers. 

  • Veterinary clinic staff. 

  • Pest management and animal removal personnel. 

  • Animal control officers and shelter staff. 

  • Zoo staff and volunteers. 

ā€‹How does bird flu spread?

It spreads from sick cows, birds, or other infected animals to people by: 

  • ā€‹Breathing in dust or droplets with the virus. 

  • Splashing raw milk from an infected cow in your eyes, nose or mouth. 

  • Touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands after: 

    • Touching raw milk, cow or bird feces, or other contaminated items or surfaces. 

    • Handling sick or dead animals infected with the virus. 

  • ā€‹ā€‹Drinking raw milk. ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹

Bird flu spreads from cows through contact with infected materials, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

Bird flu spreads from birds through contact with infected materials, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

How do I avoid getting bird flu?

You can protect yourself from bird flu by:

Using the following personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling animals that could be infected with bird flu:

  • Goggles or face shield

  • NIOSHĀ® approved respirator

  • Gloves

  • Coveralls

  • Head cover

  • Boots

  • Working outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor environments.

  • Washing your hands after contact with animals or their environments and before taking breaks or eating/drinking.

  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Wearing dedicated work clothing and footwear and washing them to keep on-site if possible.

  • Changing clothes and footwear and showering after work.

See Worker Protection from Bird Flu (PDF) for more information. ā€‹ā€‹

What if I get bird flu?

  • Tell your employer right away.

  • Contact your local public health department right away to arrange for testing and treatment. Tell them you may have been exposed to bird flu.

See Guidance for People with Possible or Confirmed Bird Flu Infection for specific information about what to do if you have symptoms of bird flu. ā€‹ā€‹

Bird Flu in California

  • CDPH has been closely monitoring the bird flu situation in both animals and humans since the state's first detection in poultry in 2022.  

  • ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹CDPH has provided ā€‹PPE for dairy farm workers and others handling raw dairy products, as well as slaughterhouse and ā€‹poultry farm workers. 

ā€‹Resources

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