Gov. Gavin Newsom Declares State of Emergency Over Bird Flu in California
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California due to the bird flu, despite the virus posing a low risk to the general public.
KCRA 3 spoke with Dr. Hakeem Adeniyi from the Sacramento Native American Health Center, who shared insights into the virus and its impact in California.
Who is most at risk of contracting bird flu?
According to Dr. Adeniyi, individuals who come into contact with infected cattle or poultry are at the highest risk.
"Those that work in agriculture generally are the ones that we tend to see," he said. "In California, we've seen it in dairy farmers in Central Valley and now in Southern California."
So far this year, there have been no reports of human-to-human transmission of the bird flu in California.
How can farmworkers reduce their risk of infection?
Dr. Adeniyi explained that the virus is typically transmitted through bodily secretions like saliva, mucus, or phlegm. To reduce risk, farmworkers should use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and protective eyewear.
He also advised avoiding unpasteurized milk.
Is there a risk of human-to-human transmission?
"It's an ever-evolving process," Dr. Adeniyi said. "It's possible that it could happen in the future, but thankfully, we have not seen that at this point."
Why is raw milk a potential risk for bird flu?
"Raw milk doesn't eliminate secretions, bodily fluids, or other contaminants, which is where we find the virus itself," Dr. Adeniyi explained. "Pasteurization typically kills these contaminants."
He also noted that some affected dairy farms have been isolated to curb the spread of the virus, but there remains a risk of it spreading to other farms.
