The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has confirmed the presence of H5N1 in dairy cattle in three herds in the state.
The agency said on August 29 that it was investigating the situation, and confirmed the positive tests on August 30. These cases are the state’s first cases of H5N1 in cattle.
When herds began showing clinical signs consistent with H5N1 on August 25, the dairy owners worked with their veterinarians and the CDFA to submit samples to the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) laboratory network for preliminary determination. The samples were then submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), where the test results were confirmed.
No human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in California related to this incident, as of August 30. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working in collaboration with CDFA and will work with local health departments to monitor any individuals who may be exposed to infected animals to ensure prompt clinical and public health interventions, and CDPH would provide official confirmation of any human cases associated with this incident.
“We have been preparing for this possibility since earlier this year when HPAI detections were confirmed at dairy farms in other states,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Our extensive experience with HPAI in poultry has given us ample preparation and expertise to address this incident, with workers’ health and public health as our top priorities. This is a tough time for our dairy farmers given the economic challenges they’re facing in a dynamic market, so I want to assure them that we are approaching this incident with the utmost urgency.”
