Human cases of bird flu confirmed in Madera County related to sick dairy cattle

MADERA, Calif. (FOX26) — The Madera County Department of Public Health working with state and federal health agencies has identified two human cases of H5N1 bird flu.

One of the cases has been confirmed positive while the other is a presumptive positive case.

Both cases are linked to contact with infected dairy cattle, according to health officials.

Both individuals are experiencing mild symptoms, are receiving antiviral treatment, and are isolating at home.

“Although there are confirmed human cases of bird flu in Madera County, the risk to the general public remains low,” stated Dr. Simon Paul, Public Health Officer.

The virus was first detected in California in sick dairy cattle in August, and public health officials have been closely monitoring workers for illness at dairy facilities experiencing an outbreak of bird flu among their cattle herds.

Health officials say people who interact with infected animals are at higher risk of getting bird flu.

They recommend personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as respirators (N95 masks), eye protection (face shields or safety goggles), and gloves be worn by anyone working with animals or materials that are infected or potentially infected with the bird flu virus.

There has been no evidence of human-to-human transmissions of the H5N1 bird flu virus.

Pasteurized milk and dairy products continue to be safe to consume, as pasteurization is fully effective at inactivating the bird flu virus. As an added precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is not permitted in the public milk supply.

MCDPH recommends all residents — especially workers at risk for exposure to bird flu — receive a seasonal flu vaccine.

Although the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against bird flu, it can decrease the risk of being infected with both viruses at the same time and reduce the chance of severe illness from seasonal flu.

For the latest information on the national bird flu response, see the CDC’s Bird Flu Current Situation.