Bird Flu ā
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a virus that is spreading through wild birds worldwide. It is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, and some human cases have been identified in people who have had close contact with infected dairy cows and poultry. In October 2024, CDPH identified the first cases of bird flu in humans from people working closely with infected dairy cattle.
While the current public health risk is low, 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 cattle.
Transmissiāāon
People rarely get bird flu, but those who interact with infected animals, like dairy or poultry farm workers, are at higher risk. Human infections of bird flu can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.
Symptoms
People exposed to infected animals should monitor for the following symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure:
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- āMuscle or body achesāā
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- āāāEye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis)āā
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If a person starts to feel sick, they should immediately isolate, notify their local public health department, and work with public health and health care providers to get timely testing and treatment. Prevention
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Avoid contact with infected animals: People should avoid direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to have bird flu. Wild birds can be infected with bird flu even if they don't look sick.
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Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if you must work with infected animals: If you work with infected animals and must have direct/close contact, wear recommended PPE, such as: respirators (N95 masks), eye protection (face shields or safety goggles) and gloves.
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Get the seasonal flu vaccine: CDPH recommends that all Californians ā especially workers at risk for exposure to bird flu ā receive a seasonal flu vaccine. Although the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against bird flu, it can decrease the risk of being infected with both viruses at the same time and reduce the chance of severe illness from seasonal flu.
- āāOnly consume pasteurized dairy products: Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected bird flu infection. Pasteurized milk and dairy foods are safe to eat.
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Take precautions if you have a backyard flock: Keep birds separate from other animals (like pets and livestock). Avoid kissing or putting birds near your face. Wash your hands before and after contact with your birds. Do not touch sick or dead birds without PPE. Contact your vet or local animal control if you notice illness or sudden death. For more information, visit
California Department of Food and Agricultureās Animal Health Branchā.ā
Using this Toolkit
As California is the nationās leading dairy state, CDPH has developed this toolkit to help partners respond to this issue. Use this toolkit to inforām and share with those most impacted (dairy and poultry workers) and your communities about bird flu safety.
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CDPH Material Co-brand Disclaimerā
Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) may co-brand materials created by CDPH (those in CDPH Office of Communications Toolkits) by adding their agency logo next to or near the CDPH logo. Be sure there is ample space between the two logos. Materials may not be altered or edited in any other way, including removal or adjustment of the CDPH logo.ā
āāāFact Sheetsāā
āāVideo
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āWhat You Neeāād to Know About Bird Fluāāā
āāPosted to Facebook, December 2024
āāDr. Erica Pan explains how to stay safe from bird flu, a virus spreading through wild birds worldwide and causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows. Sporadic human cases have been found, mostly among those working closely with āāinfected animals. Learn about the risks, symptoms and prevention.ā
Watch and share on Facebookāā in English and
Spanish.
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Social Medāia
To use these images, click on each one to enlarge the image, then right click and āsave as.ā