California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the H5N1 virus, commonly known as the Bird Flu. The announcement comes as the virus has spread to cattle in Newsom’s state, after first being detected in Texas and Kansas livestock in March of this year and spreading to 13 other states. Bird Flu was first detected in U.S. wild bird populations in January 2022.
“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” the governor said in a statement. “Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information.” Newsom also stated that while the risk to the public remains low, the California state government aims to use this declaration and the associated powers it affords to prevent the virus from spreading further. According to a press release published today on the governor’s webpage, no person-to-person cases have been detected yet in the state, with nearly all people infected with H5N1 contracting it from interactions with livestock.
The state of emergency declaration by Newsom outlines four separate orders for state authorities. These include directives to all state agencies to mobilize resources and personnel according to the direction of the state’s Office of Emergency Services, and for residents to obey directives from emergency officials “with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety.” Newsom has also ordered the suspension of state government codes, including competitive bidding in state contracts, “to the extent necessary” to facilitate the procurement of materials, goods and services necessary to combat the virus. The declaration also calls for changes in the limitations to work hours and period of employment for state employees that “shall not extend beyond the termination date of the State of Emergency.”
According to the press release on the governor’s webpage, the state will be organizing its response with federal authorities to “coordinate, implement, and ensure timely surveillance and investigation of potential cases of Bird Flu.” The communiqué also outlines the state’s targeted strategy for helping agricultural sector workers who interact with livestock, which includes the provision of “additional doses of the flu vaccine” in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Avian flu can be serious for people, the symptoms can range from mild symptoms to severe disease that can result in death. The most concerning strains for humans are highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) and A (H5N6), which have been responsible for most human illnesses reported worldwide.
