Important Takeaways:

• California has declared a state of emergency for H5N1 bird flu amid fears that the virus could jump to people and start to spread.
• The move comes in response to a major outbreak of the virus among the state’s cattle which has spilled over and infected dozens of dairy workers.
• The announcement follows news that an individual in Louisiana was hospitalized with H5N1, becoming the country’s first severe case.
• The declaration of emergency gives California state and local resources to contain the outbreak, including hiring staff or issuing contracts for things like tests or personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Governor Gavin Newsom said the move would free up funds and ‘streamline and expedite’ the state’s efforts to tackle the outbreak.
• California has identified H5N1 in 645 dairy herds since its first detection in late August and nearly half of those were reported in the past 30 days, highlighting the rapid spread of the virus.
• Thirty-four of the US’ 61 human bird flu cases have also been in California
• Experts have described it as a pandemic ‘unfolding in slow motion.’

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