First Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed in Los Angeles County

An adult exposed to infected livestock is recovering as California continues to manage a growing outbreak of the virus.

Los Angeles County health officials confirmed the first human case of H5 bird flu in the area on Monday, involving an adult exposed to infected livestock at work.
The patient experienced mild symptoms, was treated with antivirals, and is recovering at home; no evidence of person-to-person transmission has been reported.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on December 18 after bird flu cases were detected in dairy cattle, with 36 human cases now reported in the state this year.
Health officials are urging precautions, including avoiding raw milk and unprotected contact with sick or dead animals, and recommending the seasonal flu vaccine to reduce dual infection risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the public health risk remains low but continues to monitor the situation as the virus spreads across livestock in multiple states.