California has declared a state of emergency over the spread of H5N1 bird F, which has spread through dairy cows in the state and is causing sporadic illnesses in people across the United States.

Also known as Type A H5N1, avian influenza was first detected in U.S. dairy cattle earlier this year and has since been confirmed in at least 866 herds in 16 states. It has sickened more than 60 people in eight states, most of them with mild illnesses, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A man in Louisiana was recently hospitalized in the country’s first known serious illness caused by the virus, according to health officials.

Why has California declared a state of emergency?,

California’s governor said he declared a state of emergency to better position state workers and supplies to deal with the outbreak. The state, which is looking for bird flu in large milk tanks during processing, has found the virus in at least 650 herds after extensive testing, representing about three-quarters of all affected U.S. dairy herds.

It was discovered recently after the virus was found in the Central Valley, on dairy farms in Southern California. “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure that government agencies have the resources and flexibility needed to quickly respond to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement.

Is the general public in danger?

Despite its widespread reach, according to the CDC, The virus still poses a low risk to the general publicSo far, there have been no reports of any person-to-person transmission and no signs that the virus has changed to spread more easily between humans.

However, experts believe it is too early to tell in which direction the outbreak may spread. “The completely unsatisfactory answer would be: I don’t think we know yet,” Dr. Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, told the AP.

However, there are also concerns that the flu virus is constantly mutating and that small genetic changes could change the entire outlook.

Are the cases found serious?,

In Louisiana, the patient who was confirmed to be the first serious case of bird flu is over the age of 65, had underlying medical problems and is currently in critical condition. Although further details have not been released, officials said the man developed severe respiratory symptoms.

The CDC said the person’s infection was spread through backyard birds.

Tests also confirmed that the strain that caused the man’s illness is found in wild birds, but not cattle.

Previous infections in the US have almost all been in direct contact farm workers infected dairy cattle or poultryIn two cases, an adult in Missouri and a child in California, health officials have not determined how they got it.

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