A fast-growing outbreak of avian flu has upended California's dairy industry, infecting most of the state's herds and putting thousands of farmworkers at risk. The virus has spread to 645 dairies, prompting heightened measures and a state of emergency from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The rapid spread of H5N1 in California's dairy farms is being compared to Covid-19 by dairy farmers. Anja Raudabaugh described it as the worst crisis faced by the dairy industry, highlighting the extreme measures taken to combat the contagion.
Avian flu has primarily affected birds, but it can infect mammals, including humans. This year, there have been 61 reported human cases in the U.S., with the first severe case identified in Louisiana, causing concern among officials.
Despite strict precautions, California's dairy herds remain vulnerable as the avian flu outbreak enlarges. Scientists are urgently trying to understand and halt the virus's rapid transmission among the livestock.
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