Avian Influenza

Dairy and poultry workers have accounted for most cases of the bird flu in the U.S. — and preventing and detecting cases among them is key to averting a pandemic. But public health specialists say they’re struggling to reach farmworkers because many are terrified to talk with strangers or to leave home.

The bird flu virus is affecting people and dairy cattle in the Valley, but the biggest impact is among poultry flocks – and egg prices – as the avian flu outbreak enters its third year in the U.S.

The current strain of bird flu is spreading from wildlife and livestock to house cats. To keep pets healthy, many virologists and veterinarians say, house cats shouldn’t eat raw food and should be kept indoors.

The virus was reported in a commercial flock of ducks. It’s the first time the subtype has been detected in the United States.

On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to streamline the state's response to avian flu. More than half of the human cases in the U.S. so far have been in California.

Earlier this year, it was discovered that avian influenza had spread to some dairy cows. Farmers in California immediately started protection measures. KVPR's Elizabeth Arakelian spoke with Anja Raudabaugh of Western United Dairies to learn more about how local dairy farmers have reacted.

Since the beginning of the outbreak in Feb. 2022, 7 million birds have been euthanized in California. More than half of those were in Merced County.