June 18, 2025 3:11 am
Full News

California Declares State of Emergency Over Bird Flu as First Severe Human Case Hits U.S.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to the escalating threat of bird flu, particularly the H5N1 strain. The announcement coincided with the U.S.’s first severe human case of the virus, reported in Louisiana. The declaration aims to accelerate efforts to contain the outbreak, which has raised alarm due to its spread among both animals and humans.
Why Did California Declare a State of Emergency?
The emergency was prompted by the detection of additional cases of H5N1 in dairy cows in Southern California, highlighting the virus’s continued spread beyond its usual avian hosts. Declaring a state of emergency enables the state to unlock funds and resources to address the outbreak more efficiently.
Since bird flu first appeared on U.S. dairy farms in 2022, it has spread to livestock in 16 states. While previous infections in humans had been mild, Louisiana reported a critical case this week—a 65-year-old with pre-existing health conditions who is now hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case, noting the patient had been exposed to infected backyard poultry. “While investigations are ongoing, this marks a significant development in the fight against H5N1,” the CDC stated.
The Spread of H5N1 in the U.S.
The H5N1 strain was first detected in the U.S. in March 2024. Since then, 61 human cases have been reported across seven states, with California accounting for 34. Most cases have involved mild symptoms, but the Louisiana case raises concerns about the virus’s potential severity.
The spread of bird flu to humans has historically been rare, but North America has seen an uptick in cases in recent years. Before 2022, the U.S. had no reported human cases of bird flu.
The virus has also affected Canada, where the first human case of H5N1 was reported in November 2024 in British Columbia.
What Is Bird Flu, and Why Is It Dangerous?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, primarily infects birds but can also spread to other animals, including dairy cows, seals, and domestic pets. The virus occasionally infects humans, though human-to-human transmission has not been documented.
H5N1 is particularly concerning due to its high mortality rate of approximately 60% among humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that since its discovery in the 1990s, H5N1 has infected 860 people globally, resulting in 463 deaths.
The virus can cause severe complications, such as pneumonia and multi-organ failure, making it more deadly than other bird flu strains like H7N9, which has a lower mortality rate of 20%.
How Does Bird Flu Spread?
Bird flu spreads to humans through contact with infected animals or their secretions, including saliva, mucus, and feces. The virus can also become airborne in dust or droplets, posing risks to individuals exposed to contaminated environments.
Despite these risks, the CDC reports no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Can Bird Flu Spread Through Food?
While there is no evidence that properly cooked poultry transmits bird flu, the CDC advises against consuming raw or undercooked poultry products. Past incidents in Southeast Asia have suggested a link between eating raw poultry and contracting the virus.
Preventing Bird Flu Infections
Health authorities recommend avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, wearing protective gear when handling infected animals, and steering clear of live bird markets in areas experiencing outbreaks.
The CDC also advises against consuming raw milk or eggs, particularly from animals suspected of being infected.
Is There a Vaccine for Bird Flu?
Currently, no human vaccine for bird flu is authorized. However, vaccines for poultry are available and play a key role in controlling outbreaks.
Efforts to develop a human vaccine are underway. The U.S. government has allocated $176 million to Moderna to create a flu vaccine that includes protection against bird flu strains.
A Growing Threat
Bird flu continues to pose a significant global health challenge. The virus, first detected in China in the 1990s, has spread to multiple regions, causing widespread fatalities among birds and sporadic human infections. Recent developments in California and Louisiana underscore the urgency of enhanced surveillance and preventive measures to contain its spread.

Related News
Exploring the Transformative Power of Yoga: A Path to Enhanced Mental and Physical Health
Kashmir Attack: Modi Cuts Short Saudi Arabia Visit
New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Detected in U.S., Linked to Surge in China
Bangladesh Awami League Rejects the Biased Report by the UN Fact-Finding Mission
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket Successfully Launches Dual Lunar Missions for the USA and Japan
US to Announce $500 Million Military Aid for Ukraine at Final Biden-Era Conference
Related Posts
India and Canada to Restore Diplomatic Ties after G7 Meeting in Kananaskis
Iran’s Supreme Leader Declares War
EU Moves Toward Full Ban on Russian Oil and Gas as Ukraine War Continues
Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Once Again, Allowing App to Stay in the US
Senate Passes Landmark Cryptocurrency Bill, Advancing Industry Legitimacy
MPs Vote to Decriminalise Abortion in England and Wales
More News

Fleeing Driver Killed After Crashing Into JCPenney at Texas Mall; 5 Injured

A high-speed police chase in Texas turned deadly Saturday evening when a fleeing driver crashed into a crowded mall, injuring five people before being fatally shot by law enforcement.The pursuit began around 5 p.m. near Belton after Texas Highway Patrol troopers responded to a report of a possibly intoxicated driver. When officers attempted to stop […]

Germany Condemns Taiwanese Activist’s Nazi Display as ‘Shameless’

The German Institute in Taipei has strongly condemned Taiwanese activist Sung Chien-liang for displaying Nazi symbols during a public appearance, calling his actions “shameless.” Sung, affiliated with the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party, wore a Nazi armband, held a Chinese translation of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” and performed a Nazi salute outside the New Taipei District […]

Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, was released shortly after being arrested

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was briefly detained by security forces on Thursday. After months in hiding, he was arrested as soon as she came out publicly to lead a protest in Caracas. Later, however, she was released. Machado, a 57-year-old engineer-turned-politician, attended a protest in Caracas yesterday. Standing on top of a pickup […]

Imran Khan Writes Another Open Letter to Pakistan’s Army Chief

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has written a second open letter to the country’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir. In the letter, he alleged that Pakistan’s “largest” political party is being deliberately targeted. In the letter, Imran Khan stated, “I wrote an open letter to the Army Chief with sincere intentions for the betterment […]

Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Red One’ Struggles with $34 Million Debut

Red One, a Christmas action-comedy starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Santa’s head of security, opened with a soft $34.1 million from 4,032 theaters in North America. Despite topping the domestic box office, the film’s debut falls short of expectations, especially considering its hefty $250 million production budget and an additional $100 million for global […]

Jury to Hear Opening Statements in Salman Rushdie Attack Trial

MAYVILLE, New York – Attorneys are set to deliver opening statements today in the trial of Hadi Matar, the man charged with attempting to murder novelist Salman Rushdie during a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in August 2022. Rushdie, who was stabbed multiple times, resulting in severe injuries including blindness in his right eye, is […]

17th-Century Painting Looted by Nazis to Be Returned to Jewish Collector’s Descendants

The British government has announced the return of a 17th-century painting, “Aeneas and his Family Fleeing Burning Troy,” looted by the Nazis in 1940 from Jewish art collector Samuel Hartveld in Belgium. The artwork, created in 1654 by English painter Henry Gibbs, was left behind when Hartveld and his wife fled Antwerp to escape Nazi […]

British Neo-Nazi Jailed for Attempted Murder of Asylum Seeker and Promotion of Hate

LONDON – A 32-year-old British neo-Nazi, Callum Parslow, has been sentenced to over 22 years in prison after a failed attempt to murder an asylum seeker and subsequent efforts to promote a far-right manifesto. In April 2024, Parslow stabbed a man from Eritrea twice in the chest in Worcester, central England, after researching the locations […]

FIFA Launches Investigation into Ancelotti’s Appointment as Brazil Coach

The appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the new head coach of Brazil’s national football team made global headlines. However, this high-profile recruitment has now placed the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) under FIFA investigation. The allegation is that a non-licensed intermediary was paid a €1.2 million commission for facilitating Ancelotti’s contract, a clear violation of FIFA’s […]

Rita Ora and Sterling K. Brown Joins Henry Cavill in New Movie

Rita Ora and Sterling K. Brown have joined the cast of Henry Cavill’s upcoming movie Voltron. The pop singer and This Is Us actor will star alongside Cavill, John Kim, and Daniel Quinn-Toye in the live-action film produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Filming is set to begin in Australia this month, according to The Hollywood […]