A lack of wastewater testing is blinding the Central Valley to its bird flu problem

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado emphasizes the importance of tracking H5N1's potential to jump from animals to humans, especially in areas like Tulare where livestock outnumber people.

With more than 22 million birds infected and a growing number of confirmed human cases, including 37 people positively tested for H5N1, the urgency for comprehensive surveillance in rural areas is apparent.

Wastewater surveillance has proven useful in tracking diseases like COVID-19, yet officials note its absence in the Central Valley puts vulnerable populations at greater risk, as infections spread.

California's state of emergency highlights the critical need for improved tracking and testing strategies to manage the H5N1 outbreak, particularly in regions like the Central Valley without necessary resources.

Read at Los Angeles Times