April 4, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

California Governor Declares State of Emergency Amid Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cattle

Governor Newsom’s Action Expands the State’s Response to the H5N1 Virus

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency today to streamline California’s response to the ongoing outbreak of Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as “Bird Flu,” which has now been detected in dairy cows across Southern California.

The virus, which has spread to 16 states, including its first confirmed cases in Texas and Kansas in March 2024, has raised concerns after being found in dairy cattle in the Golden State. Though no person-to-person transmission of the virus has been reported in California, state officials are expanding their monitoring efforts and bolstering their coordinated response to contain the virus’s spread.

Concerns about H5N1 have risen since the avian flu virus was detected in raw milk from Raw Farm multiple times and their ability to distribute new products was suspended on December 5. A second raw milk farm Valley Milk Simply Bottled’s products has been quarantined and recalled as of December 14 due to avian flu found in a raw milk bulk tank. 

Two cats in Los Angeles County who were fed raw milk from a recalled batch of milk from Raw Farms died and are suspected to have been infected with H5N1. A recent study from Stanford University reveals that influenza or flu virus can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days. 

“Today’s proclamation is a targeted action to ensure that our agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to act swiftly and effectively. Building on California’s testing and monitoring system—the largest in the nation—we are committed to protecting public health and supporting the agriculture industry,” Newsom said in a statement. “While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”

The emergency proclamation grants state and local agencies additional flexibility in staffing, contracting, and other operational aspects to enhance California’s response. This includes providing resources to strengthen monitoring and testing systems and ensuring that both the public and agricultural workers receive up-to-date information on the outbreak.

As of now, nearly all infected individuals have had direct exposure to infected cattle. No cases of the virus have been reported among humans in California, but the state continues to prioritize public safety and work alongside federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to monitor the situation.

The state has implemented a comprehensive response plan, which includes efforts to minimize exposure to farmworkers and reduce the risk of contamination in raw dairy products. California has also distributed millions of personal protective equipment (PPE) items to workers in high-risk areas and conducted public outreach campaigns aimed at educating the public on preventive measures.

California’s cross-agency collaboration involves several state entities, including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). Public awareness campaigns are being conducted in multiple languages and include timely updates, social media outreach, and resources for agricultural workers on proper PPE use.

In an effort to mitigate flu risks, state officials are also ensuring that agriculture workers receive additional seasonal flu vaccines from the CDC. As the situation evolves, California remains committed to providing timely information and resources to safeguard public health and the state’s agricultural industry.

Related Posts

WeHo Pride Will Begin with Harvey Milk Day Celebration and José Sarria Drag Pageant

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

West Hollywood to Honor LGBTQ+ Icons at Pride Kickoff Event The City of West Hollywood will kick off its WeHo...

Suspect Arrested and Charged in March 27 Hit-and-Run Death

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The Victim Was on the Way to His Job at the Beverly Hills Hotel  A 20-year-old man has been arrested...

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Across L.A. This Weekend

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Target High-Risk Areas, Come With High Penalties The Los Angeles Police Department will conduct a series...

(Video) Adorn Your Home With Plants and Pottery from Urban Jungle

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Go To Urbanjungleplantsandpottery.com For More Info Go To https://t.co/1VWYzZ7Gra For More Info pic.twitter.com/OFUL72c4UA — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) April 4, 2025

Join UCLA’s Innovative Memory Research Study!

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Are you ready to contribute to groundbreaking research and help shape the future of memory treatments? Do you sometimes find...

Coming Soon: Easter Extravaganza at Regent Santa Monica Beach

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Book your Delectable Brunch, Easter Festivities This Easter, step into a world of celebration and refined delight at Regent Santa Monica Beach....

Scoop Dreams Come True: Van Leeuwen Launches New Beverly Hills Shop

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Van Leeuwen’s Beverly Hills Opening Comes With Sweet Perks Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a New York City-born brand celebrated for...

WeHo’s WeHappy Wednesdays Serve Up Big Discounts In Addition to Zero Parking Fees

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Free Parking and $5 Cocktails? WeHo Makes Wednesdays Worth It The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber...

Saijo Hand Roll Rolls into Culver City with Premium Japanese Ingredients

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Binchotan-Fired Perfection: Saijo Rolls Out Premium Sushi in West LA A new destination for hand rolls and Japanese culinary craftsmanship...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

WeHo Unveils ‘WeHappy Wednesdays’ to Support Shops and Restaurants

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

New West Hollywood Plan Makes Midweek Outings Easier and Cheaper In a bid to boost foot traffic and economic recovery...