Hen flu has been discovered at 4 dairy farms in San Bernardino County, the county introduced Thursday, March 6.
The chance of an infection from H5N1, or chook flu, stays low, a county information launch says. “No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California.”
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“While the risk of bird flu to the general public remains low, the detection of this virus in animals across multiple farms serves as a reminder to practice caution when handling animals or animal products,” San Bernardino County Well being Officer Sharon Wang mentioned within the launch.
Hen flu is unfold from contaminated cows, birds and different animals to individuals in a wide range of methods, well being officers say. These embody inhaling mud or droplets with the virus, touching eyes, nostril or mouth with unwashed fingers after touching contaminated surfaces, or dealing with sick or lifeless animals and consuming uncooked unpasteurized milk or milk merchandise.
In January, officers in Riverside County introduced the newest variant of avian influenza surfaced at dairy and poultry farms within the county, prompting well being officers to induce individuals to take additional precautions.
In keeping with the Riverside County Division of Public Well being, animals at 25 egg and dairy manufacturing amenities, together with one yard coop, examined constructive at the moment.
Signs of the sickness usually seem inside two to eight days, well being officers say, and embody redness in eyes, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nostril, diarrhea and vomiting, complications, fatigues and fever. Typically these uncovered may even expertise issue respiration, officers say.
Officers advocate taking additional precautions when working with livestock, that features washing fingers often and sporting protecting clothes when working with the animals.
Metropolis Information Service contributed to this report.
