Third human case of bird flu detected in California's Central Valley, two others possible

State health officials confirmed California's third documented case of bird flu Wednesday, as two other possible cases remained under investigation.

All three infections occurred in the Central Valley and were believed to have resulted from contact with infected dairy cows, and "risk to the public remains low," according to a California Department of Public Health statement .

"There is no known link or contact between any of California’s confirmed or possible cases, continuing to suggest only animal-to-human spread of the virus in the state," the statement said. "All individuals had contact with animals at different farms. All cases so far have experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis). None of the individuals has been hospitalized.​ "

State officials confirmed the first two confirmed cases of bird flu, or H5, last week.

In addition to the confirmed cases, two other possible cases have been identified, officials said. Specimens will be sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for laboratory testing.

"While the risk to the general public remains low, additional human cases of bird flu are expected to be identified and confirmed in California among individuals who have contact with infected dairy cattle," the CDPH statement said. "CDPH continues to work closely with local health jurisdictions to identify, track, test, confirm, and treat possible and confirmed human cases of bird flu."

People with regular close contact with birds, livestock and wildlife are at increased risk, health officials said.

Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to consume, as the pasteurization process inactivates the bird flu virus, according to the statement. "As an added precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is prohibited in the public milk supply."

State health officials were providing personal protective equipment to dairy farms, poultry and slaughterhouse workers, and others handling raw dairy products.

What is bird flu?

The bird flu, also known as H5, is classified as a "highly pathogenic avian influenza," according to the CDC . While human infections are rare, they can be devastating to poultry populations.

The bird flu is contracted by mouth, eyes, or nose, such as inhaling the virus after contact with an infected animal, and may present mild to severe symptoms. They include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches/muscle aches
• Eye infections
• Fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Shortness of breath
• High fever
• Pneumonia
• Severe respiratory disease

Seventeen confirmed human cases have been detected nation-wide in 2024, CDC officials said.

Fourteen states are experiencing infections among dairy herds, according to the CDPH.

Anyone exposed to a potentially infected animal was urged to monitor themselves for 10 days and watch for flu-like symptoms, state health officials said.

"If they start to feel sick, they should immediately isolate, notify their local public health department, and work with public health and health care providers to get timely testing and treatment," the CDPH statement said.

"CDPH recommends that all Californians — especially workers at risk for exposure to bird flu — receive a seasonal flu vaccine," according to the statement. "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. "

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Third human case of bird flu detected in California's Central Valley, two others possible