Individuals had contact with infected dairy cows; risk to general public remains low

What You Need To Know: CDPH has confirmed a third human case and identified two new possible human cases of bird flu in California. The risk to the general public remains low, although individuals who interact with infected animals remain at higher risk of getting bird flu.

Sacramento – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that a third human case of bird flu has been confirmed in California. The case was identified in a Central Valley individual who had contact with infected dairy cattle and additional testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case as positive.

CDPH has also identified two new possible human cases, also in the Central Valley. As with previous possible cases, the specimens from these latest cases will be sent to CDC for confirmatory testing.

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. 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.

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. CDPH continues to work closely with local health jurisdictions to identify, track, test, confirm, and treat possible and confirmed human cases of bird flu.

More information on CDPH's response is at our website at H5N1 Bird Flu Situation.