On October 3, CDC confirmed two cases of H5 bird flu in individuals with occupational exposure to infected dairy cows in California. While an investigation is ongoing, these cases are not unexpected and do not alter CDC’s low risk assessment for the public. No known connection exists between the two cases, indicating separate instances of animal-to-human transmission.
California is actively monitoring the situation and working with CDC to mitigate risks for farm workers. This marks the first human cases of H5 in California, following reported outbreaks among dairy herds since August 2024. Nationwide, there have been 17 reported human cases of H5N1 since 2022, with six linked to infected dairy cows.
CDC emphasizes precautions for those working with potentially infected animals, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoiding contact with wild birds or sick animals. Individuals experiencing symptoms after contact with infected animals are advised to seek medical attention and testing.