California dairy herds face H5N1 bird flu outbreak as human infections rise

Over 70 percent of California's dairy cow herds are now infected with H5N1 bird flu, with nearly 700 herds affected since late August. This prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency and implement new testing measures. The number of human infections has approached 70, with recent reports indicating a possible mutation of the virus in a Louisiana patient. While experts are monitoring the situation, they state that the current risk to public health remains low, with no human-to-human transmission reported. Bird flu has also been detected in other animals, including pigs and cats. The Department of Agriculture is testing vaccines for poultry and dairy cattle to manage the outbreak, as infections have impacted food prices and raised concerns about future risks.