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US - California H5N1 human cases - October 3, 2024+, 38 CDC confirmed + 1 CDC probable + 3 (Stanislaus&LA counties, SF city) = 40 known cases

CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update October 11, 2024

​
Situation Update


October 11, 2024 – CDC continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by a multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or "H5N1 bird flu," in dairy cows, poultry and other animals in the United States. CDC is working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), state public health and animal health officials, and other partners using a One Health approach.

Since April 2024, 20 human cases of avian influenza A(H5) virus infection have been reported in the United States; 21 in total since 2022. Ten of these cases were associated with exposure to H5N1 bird flu-infected poultry and nine were associated with exposure to sick or infected dairy cows 12. This includes six cases in California, two of which were confirmed by CDC on Thursday, October 3, two on Wednesday, October 9, and two on Thursday, October 10. All California cases occurred in dairy workers on affected farms. All of the California cases are from different farms, except for one case reported this week, which was from a farm that had a case reported previously. The two cases from the same affected farm worked on different parts of the farm and are not close contacts of each other. The epidemiology of the situation continues to suggest sporadic instances of animal-to-human spread. All six California cases are reported to have experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis), and none were hospitalized. Additional testing is ongoing in California, and presumptive positives are being routinely forwarded to CDC for confirmatory testing. Going forward, CDC will track and report confirmed cases, by state and source of exposure, in a table on its website. The source of the exposure in one case, which was reported by Missouri on September 6, could not be determined. Serological tests of the contacts of the Missouri case are pending. CDC believes the immediate risk to the general public from H5N1 bird flu remains low, but people with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of infection.

​-snip-
Laboratory Update
CDC has performed genetic sequencing on samples from the two human cases of H5 bird flu in California confirmed on Thursday, October 3, and one of two human cases in California confirmed on Wednesday, October 9. Efforts to sequence additional cases are in progress. The results confirm that all three viruses sequenced to date are clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses, closely related to those detected in dairy cattle. The whole genome was sequenced from one of the first two cases (A/California/135/2024) and was confirmed to be a B3.13 genotype virus.

CDC has publicly posted in GISAID and submitted to GenBank the HA, NA, and NS gene segments for A/California/134/2024 (GISAID EPI_ISL_19463619; NCBI_PQ435213- PQ435215) and the whole genome sequence for A/California/135/2024 (GISAID EPI_ISL_19463618; NCBI_PQ435216-PQ435223). Additional sequencing data will be posted as it becomes available.

While the hemagglutinins (HAs) of the three sequenced viruses contained new amino acid changes compared to closely-related candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) – two in A/California/135/2024, three in A/California/134/2024, and three in A/California/146/2024 – none contained changes associated with increased infectivity or transmissibility among humans. CDC identified no changes associated with reduced susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors or polymerase acidic inhibitors, nor were there any changes associated with mammalian adaptation in other gene segments in samples from any of the cases based on currently available sequence data. CDC successfully isolated virus from samples from the first two confirmed cases in California. Attempts to isolate virus from subsequent specimens are pending.
​
Continued: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-10112024.html
 
Monitoring for Avian Influenza A(H5) Virus In Wastewater
This interactive map shows current site-level data for avian influenza A(H5) viral RNA detections in wastewater. Each dot on the map represents a wastewater sampling site. For each site, results are reported as "H5 Detection" when any of the samples were positive during the week reported.​

​ Time Period: September 29 - October 05, 2024

​
Screenshot 2024-10-11 at 6.46.03 PM.png

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html
 
From Post #20
CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update October 11, 2024​

"Going forward, CDC will track and report confirmed cases, by state and source of exposure, in a table on its website.​"

Table 10/11/24
Screenshot 2024-10-12 at 5.57.08 AM.png
 
Current H5N1 B​​ird Flu Situation


Updated October 14, 2024​
  • ​​​The current risk to the public remains low.
  • No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California.
  • People with close contact to infected birds or other animals, such as dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife, have a greater risk of infection.
  • Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.
  • For up-to-date information on bird flu detections in livestock see CDFA Bird Flu Virus in Livestock or poultry see CDFA Avian Influenza.​​
​Human Cases in California

​​​​​Confirmed Human Cases
6
​​
​​​​Presumptive Human Cases​
5
​
​These numbers were last updated on October 14, 2024.

​...
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cid/dcdc/pages/Bird-Flu.aspx
 
hat-tip: https://hogvet51.substack.com/p/news-flash-california-reports-5-more

State Continues Proactive Testing for Human Cases of Bird Flu; Reports 6 Confirmed, 5 Possible Cases ​

​​October 14, 2024​

acramento – As California continues to proactively test symptomatic individuals for bird flu, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that new possible positive human bird flu cases have been identified in the Central Valley since last Friday. To date, the state has identified six confirmed and five possible human cases. The individuals had direct contact with infected dairy cattle at nine different farms.

The five possible human cases are pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to shipping delays late last week, and today’s federal holiday, the possible (or presumptive positive) specimens are expected to arrive at the CDC early this week.
​snip-
All individuals with confirmed or possible cases of bird flu have experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis), and have been treated according to CDC guidance. None of the individuals have been hospitalized.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-034.aspx
 
Crystal Heath DVM
@drcrystalheath
There are many more sick workers than what is being reported. The workers are refusing testing because if they are positive, they have to take ten days off work with no compensation. We need to make sure these workers are being compensated. The United Farm Workers is working on getting the Worker's Compensation board to confirm that they are eligible for coverage. It's wild that we bail out corporations and not the workers.
8:48 PM · Oct 16, 2024
·16.5K Views​


C Moore
@CMoore79775922
·9h
Yes, we need @UFWupdates to push on this, and urgently. Workers getting sick is bad. Workers getting sick, especially with regular flu season coming, could lead to something very serious, if it hasn't already.​
 
CDPH Reports 13 Confirmed Human Cases of Bird Flu

​October 18, 2024

Case reporting moves to cdph.ca.gov next week

​​What You Need to Know: CDPH continues to work with federal, state and local partners to monitor and respond to human cases of bird flu in the state. The risk to the general public remains low, although individuals who interact with infected animals are at higher risk of getting bird flu. Beginning next week, CDPH will report confirmed cases on its website, cdph.ca.gov.


Sacramento – CDPH reports a total of 13 human bird flu cases have been confirmed in California. All 13 cases are Central Valley individuals who had direct contact with infected dairy cattle and were confirmed after additional testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 13 individuals had direct contact with infected dairy cattle at 11 different farms.
​
continued: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-035.aspx
 
Commonground said:
CDPH Reports 13 Confirmed Human Cases of Bird Flu

​October 18, 2024

Case reporting moves to cdph.ca.gov next week

​​What You Need to Know: CDPH continues to work with federal, state and local partners to monitor and respond to human cases of bird flu in the state. The risk to the general public remains low, although individuals who interact with infected animals are at higher risk of getting bird flu. Beginning next week, CDPH will report confirmed cases on its website, cdph.ca.gov.


Sacramento – CDPH reports a total of 13 human bird flu cases have been confirmed in California. All 13 cases are Central Valley individuals who had direct contact with infected dairy cattle and were confirmed after additional testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 13 individuals had direct contact with infected dairy cattle at 11 different farms.
​
continued: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-035.aspx
Click to expand...

Please see:

US - H5N1 Human Case List - Updated
​
 
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/cdc-bird-flu-response.html

CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update October 18, 2024

Situation Update

October 18, 2024 – CDC continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by a multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or "H5N1 bird flu," in dairy cows, poultry and other animals in the United States. CDC is working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), state public health and animal health officials, and other partners using a One Health approach.
Since April 2024, CDC, working with state public health departments, has confirmed avian influenza A(H5) infections in 27 people in the United States. Nine of these cases were associated with exposure to H5N1 bird flu-infected poultry and 17 were associated with exposure to sick or infected dairy cows 12. This includes 13 cases in California, seven of which were confirmed by CDC during the week of October 13, two of them on Friday, October 18. All California cases have occurred in dairy workers on affected farms. All available data so far suggests sporadic instances of animal-to-human spread. The farm workers who were diagnosed with avian flu infections in California all described mild symptoms, many with eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis). None of the workers were hospitalized. CDPH is monitoring hundreds of workers in affected counties, and any who develop symptoms are being tested; if the test is positive in the state lab, the sample is sent to CDC for confirmatory testing. CDC is reporting confirmed cases, by state and source of exposure, in a table on its website, which is being updated three times weekly. The source of the exposure in one case, which was reported by Missouri on September 6, could not be determined. Serological testing of the contacts of the Missouri case are pending. To date, human-to-human transmission of avian influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States. CDC believes the immediate risk to the general public from H5N1 bird flu remains low, but people with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of infection.
On the animal health side, since March 2024, USDA has confirmed infected cattle in 320 dairy herds in 14 U.S. states. The number of affected herds continues to grow nationally, with almost all new infections identified in herds in California. USDA reports that, since April 2024, there have been H5 detections in 38 commercial poultry flocks and 26 backyard flocks, for a total of 21.43 million birds affected.
Among other activities reported in previous spotlights and ongoing, recent highlights of CDC's response to this include:

Laboratory Update

To date, CDC has confirmed 13 farm workers have been infected with H5N1 bird flu in California. Genetic sequencing of six of these cases confirms that all are H5N1 viruses from clade 2.3.4.4b and that all are closely related genetically to the virus causing infections in domestic dairy cattle. CDC has been able to sequence the full genomes of viruses detected in two cases from California (A/California/135/2024 and A/California/147/2024) and to confirm that both are B3.13 genotype viruses. Specimens from four other California cases were partially sequenced. That sequencing information showed no changes in the hemagglutinin (HA) associated with increased infectivity or transmissibility among people. Additionally, there are no mutations associated with reduced susceptibility to available treatments (e.g., neuraminidase inhibitors or polymerase inhibitors) and no mutations identified in other genes indicating additional mammalian adaptation. Genetic sequencing for those six cases has been posted in GISAID and GenBank. Additional sequencing data will be posted as it becomes available. CDC has successfully isolated virus from specimens from nine of the thirteen cases. Attempts to isolate virus from additional specimens are ongoing. Antigenic characterization and antiviral susceptibility testing are underway. Antigenic characterization will inform whether existing H5 bird flu candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) provide good inhibition of these viruses.

Epidemiology Update

At the invitation of the California Department of Public Health, CDC is deploying a multilingual epidemiological field team to assist efforts to learn more about how this outbreak began in California and how to lower risk to farm workers with exposure to infected cows. Two staff are on the ground, and additional staff are ready to deploy if needed. CDC staff are assisting with active surveillance efforts, including field assessments of suspected cases and household contacts; testing and treatment; and dissemination of information to farm workers and the community.

Surveillance Update

CDC continues to support states that are monitoring people with exposure to cows, birds, or other domestic or wild animals infected, or potentially infected, with H5N1 bird flu. To date, more than 5,100 people have been monitored as a result of their exposure to infected or potentially infected animals, and at least 260 people who have developed flu-like symptoms have been tested as part of this targeted, situation-specific testing.. More information on monitoring can be found at Symptom Monitoring Among Persons Exposed to HPAI.
In addition, since February 25, 2024, more than 54,000 specimens have been tested for avian A(H5) or other novel influenza viruses at public health labs. One of the specimens, collected as a part of routine surveillance, was identified as presumptive A(H5) positive and was confirmed as H5N1 positive by CDC.
CDC also continues to monitor flu surveillance data using CDC's 2024-2025 influenza surveillance strategy, especially in areas where avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses have been detected in dairy cows or other animals, for any unusual trends, including in flu-like illness, conjunctivitis, or influenza virus activity. Overall, for the most recent week of data, CDC flu surveillance systems show no indicators of unusual flu activity in people.
Outreach Update

CDC has posted a Spanish-language collection of videos aimed at informing the U.S. public in general, and U.S. farm workers in particular, about H5N1 bird flu – what it is, how to prevent it, and what to do if they develop symptoms. English-language versions of the videos were first posted in September. The videos, each under a minute long and available on YouTube, answer commonly asked questions, such as "Who is at risk for getting H5N1 bird flu?", "How can I protect myself from getting H5N1 bird flu?", and "What do I do if I get H5N1 bird flu?"
CDC continues to support outreach to farm workers around the topic of H5N1 bird flu. This includes targeted outreach to farm workers in affected counties through Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and digital display and audio (Pandora). CDC also is running advertisements on local radio stations about 30 times each week to reach people who may not be on social media platforms. These resources provide information in English and Spanish about potential risks of H5N1 bird flu infection, recommended preventive actions, symptoms to be on the lookout for, and what to do if people develop symptoms. Outreach metrics are summarized in Table 1 (below). CDC also is developing an outreach strategy to raise awareness about the free seasonal flu vaccinations being offered to farm workers in affected states this season.


CDC Recommendations

As a reminder, CDC recommends that:
  • People should avoid exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows), if possible.
  • People should also avoid exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized ("raw") milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, if possible.
  • People should not drink raw milk. Pasteurization kills avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses, and pasteurized milk is safe to drink.
  • People who have job-related contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals should be aware of the risk of exposure to avian influenza viruses and should take proper precautions. People should wear appropriate and recommended personal protective equipment when exposed to an infected or potentially infected animal(s). CDC has recommendations for worker protection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • CDC has interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in people.
Following these recommendations is central to reducing a person's risk and containing the overall public health risk.
In addition to limiting interactions between infected animals and people, containing the outbreak among animals also is important, which underscores the urgency of the work being done by USDA and animal health and industry partners.
This is an evolving situation, and CDC is committed to providing frequent and timely updates. [TABLE="class: table table-bordered nein-scroll"]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Facebook[/TD]
[TD]English In-Feed[/TD]
[TD]25,210,865[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Spanish In-Feed[/TD]
[TD]5,091,113[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Instagram[/TD]
[TD]English In-Feed[/TD]
[TD]7,451,562[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Spanish In-Feed[/TD]
[TD]522,774[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]38,276,314[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fusable[/TD]
[TD]English Display[/TD]
[TD]8,601,254[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Spanish Display[/TD]
[TD]1,424,356[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10,025,600[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Pandora[/TD]
[TD]English Audio + Display[/TD]
[TD]6,508,175[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Spanish Audio + Display[/TD]
[TD]2,389,767[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8,897,942[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]English Language[/TD]
[TD]47,771,856[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Spanish Language[/TD]
[TD]9,428,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]57,199,856[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]




​
 
Merced County health officials confirm human case of Bird Flu


KFSN logo
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 9:48AM​

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Bird Flu cases continue to rise in the Valley, as Merced County has confirmed its first human case.

Public health officials say the person had direct exposure to infected cattle at a dairy farm in Merced County.

Everyone with known exposure to the diseased dairy cows is being monitored for symptoms….
:tiphat:
https://abc30.com/post/merced-county-health-officials-confirm-human-case-bird-flu/15454141/
​
 
Posted on: October 21, 2024

First Confirmed Human Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in Merced County

Document



The Merced County Department of Public Health in coordination with the California Department of Public Health has confirmed its first human case of H5N1 bird flu.

The individual had direct exposure to infected cattle at a Merced County dairy farm. The case was detected based on symptoms from direct exposure and confirmed by laboratory test results. All known contacts exposed to cattle infected with H5N1 have been notified and are actively being monitored for symptoms of illness. At this time, the risk to the general public remains low.

Individuals can become exposed to the H5N1 virus through direct contact with infected animals such as birds or cattle—alive or dead, their contaminated bedding, feed, water troughs, and other contaminated surfaces. The risk of human infection of avian influenza is low, and human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is rare. Symptoms of H5N1 infection are consistent with acute respiratory tract infections including, but not limited to:
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Conjunctivitis (eye discharge)
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Individuals who are exposed to H5N1 and develop symptoms should seek treatment as soon as possible through their primary care provider or the Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). Individuals exposed to infected H5N1 birds or cattle should be monitored for 10 days after their last day of exposure to the sick/dead animals or any potentially contaminated surfaces. MCDPH is monitoring for H5N1 due to its presence in the Central Valley and encourages the influenza vaccine for everyone—including those at increased risk, that work with dairy or poultry. Healthcare providers are urged to remain vigilant for symptoms and follow up with further evaluation to rule out bird flu.

For the latest updates related to H5N1 or any health issue in Merced County, please visit @MercedCountyDPH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For more information on avian influenza, please visit:
  1. California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Avian and Novel Influenza Quicksheet
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Avian Flu
​...
https://www.countyofmerced.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2621
 
California workers resist avian influenza testing

Numbers may be underrepresented as a result
25 October 2024
By: Global Ag Media
North America
Human bird flu cases in California may be undercounted as farm workers avoid testing due in part to economic concerns, Reuters reported, citing a labour union and a state expert.

Since early October, bird flu has infected 15 dairy farm workers in California, where the virus has rapidly spread since August to more than 130 dairy herds.

California farm workers with symptoms consistent with bird flu have avoided testing because they fear they would need to isolate at home without pay, said Elizabeth Strater, national vice president of the United Farm Workers labor union.

"There is a very significant undercount of cases because we don't have a way to monitor who is sick because workers are unwilling to test," Strater said….
​:tiphat:

California workers resist avian influenza testing
https://www.thecattlesite.com/news/california-workers-resist-avian-influenza-testing
Numbers may be underrepresented as a result​
 
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