Two dairy workers in California’s Central Valley have been infected with bird flu, health officials reported on Thursday. These cases mark the 15th and 16th human infections of the virus in the U.S. this year. Both workers experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis, and were infected after contact with infected cattle herds in the region.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the positive test results, noting that the workers were employed at different farms, and there is no evidence of transmission between them. The outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza has affected more than 250 dairy herds across 14 states since it began earlier this year.
Although bird flu has primarily been a concern for wild and domestic birds, the virus’s spread to dairy cows has alarmed health authorities. Despite the increase in human cases, the CDC continues to stress that the risk to the general public remains low.
These California infections come after similar cases in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas, where workers handling infected animals also contracted the virus. One unusual case in Missouri, where no animal contact was identified, is still under investigation.
The CDC and local health officials are closely monitoring the situation, particularly as the virus continues to spread among dairy herds. While human infections remain rare, the focus on preventing further spread is critical.
