Bird flu concerns mount as California reports more human cases
Concerns about bird flu — officially known as avian influenza A (H5) — continue to mount, particularly in California.
As of Oct. 14, the state has had six confirmed and five possible human cases of bird flu, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
All of the affected individuals reportedly had direct contact with infected cattle at nine dairy farms, the department stated.
FIRST CASE OF HUMAN BIRD FLU DIAGNOSED WITHOUT EXPOSURE TO INFECTED ANIMALS, CDC SAYS
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting tests to confirm the five possible cases.
All the individuals experienced «mild symptoms,» including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis), the CDPH stated. None were hospitalized.
There is not a concern at this point about human-to-human transmission, according to the agency.
«Given the amount of exposure to infected cows, evidence continues to suggest only animal-to-human spread of the virus in California,» said the CDPH statement…