H5N1 Outbreak 2024-Present

December 18, 2024-- A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”) infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. Partial viral genome data of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that infected the patient in Louisiana indicates that the virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype related to other D1.1 viruses recently detected in wild birds…

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two possible cases of H5 bird flu in cats that consumed recalled raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC. The infected indoor cats consumed raw milk linked to a recall of raw milk and cream products prior to the onset of symptoms, which included lack of appetite, fever and neurologic signs. The infected cats died after severe worsening of their illness, and subsequently tested positive for Influenza A, a rare result in cats. http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=4901

In November, Marin County Public Health (MCPH) was notified of a suspected case of bird flu. The child presented to a local emergency department with fever and vomiting after drinking raw milk. The child tested positive for Influenza A. MCPH is working with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on additional testing to confirm if this infection was bird flu or seasonal flu. The child has recovered and no other family members became sick, indicating no person-to-person transmission. https://www.marinhhs.org/h5n1-bird-flu

Although the genetic data generated were insufficient to classify the virus as a specific genotype, the virus gene segments sequenced most closely resemble those segments from recent B3.13 viruses detected in California in humans, dairy cattle and poultry. This analysis supports the conclusion that the overall risk to the general public associated with the ongoing HPAI A(H5N1) outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle and poultry has not changed and remains low at this time. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-12092024.html?s=09

The Arizona cases were linked to poultry operations, a commercial farm in Pinal County and a backyard flock in Maricopa County. Most human infections have occurred after unprotected exposure to sick or dead infected animals or their environment. Human infections generally occur when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose or mouth or is inhaled from close or prolonged exposure to sick animals or their environments. https://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/avian-flu-reported-in-arizona/article_b8e5e4b8-b680-11ef-8828-975282430661.html

"This is a separate wild bird strain," Naig says. "It's not the dairy strain, and it's not the previous poultry strain. So, it's new and it's quite aggressive." He says this strain is only affecting birds as of right now. "It's not like this is affecting dairy cattle in other states and it's just not happening here yet," Naig says. "So that's maybe some good news. That it is confined just to the one species." Cases have been identified in surrounding states including South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma. Naig says when birds get it they die quickly. https://whoradio.iheart.com/featured/who-radio-news/content/…

Last week MCPH began investigating a possible bird flu case in a child and is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine how the child may have been exposed. https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/public-health-status-update-12062024

Three new possible bird flu cases have been reported in Colorado among poultry workers. These workers were handling infected poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado. They exhibited mild symptoms including conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, and typical respiratory infection symptoms. Thankfully, none of the individuals required hospitalization. The state health department suspects that these cases are linked to direct contact with infected birds. The CDC and state health officials are currently investigating the outbreak to understand its scope and ensure proper public health measures are in place. https://www.longmontleade…

On October 18, 2023, an investigation of an outbreak associated with Raw Farm, LLC products was initiated. At least eight Salmonella cases who had reported consuming raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County, California, were discovered and reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Another nine cases from another county were discovered to be infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. Local health departments, CDPH, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) investigated this outbreak. This outbreak was assigned the CDC ID 2310MLJPX-2. https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/multiple-salmonella-lawsuits-filed-after-171-sickened-by-raw…

California health officials said late Tuesday they secured a "broad recall" of raw milk and raw cream, pulling all products made by producer Raw Farms off shelves after testing turned up positive for bird flu. Fresno-based Raw Farm is now under quarantine, suspending any new distribution of its raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced on or after Nov. 27, the California Department of Public Health said. The action follows two recalls by Raw Farm after bird flu was detected in milk sold at retailers. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/broad-recall-of-raw-milk-in-california-after-bird-flu-testing-120424.html

Today, USDA is issuing a new Federal Order, as well as accompanying guidance, requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing. This new guidance from USDA, which was developed with significant input from state, veterinary and public health stakeholders, will facilitate comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds. https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/12/06/usda-announces-new-federal-order-begins-national-milk-testing

McAfee is trying to set up some raw milk bottling and processing in another area of the state that isn't as affected by the current H5N1 outbreak as the Central Valley. He said he hopes to start selling raw milk again soon, after performing (and clearing) some additional tests. "Hopefully, within the next 10 days, we'll have a dairy that's up and going, and products will be flowing from a different area of California," he said. https://www.businessinsider.com/raw-milk-in-california-being-pasteurized-bird-flu-sweeps-state-2024-12

DEAR CUSTOMERS AND MEDIA OUR FAMILY AND TEAM IS PROUD TO BE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO RESUME FULL SUPPLY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE PAUSED PRODUCTION WHILE OUR HERD IS UNDER QUARANTINE. THERE ARE NO ILLNESSES ASSOCIATED WITH H5NI IN OUR PRODUCTS, BUT RATHER THIS IS A POLITICAL ISSUE. THERE ARE NO FOOD SAFETY ISSUES WITH OUR PRODUCTS OR CONSUMER SAFETY. WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS RESOLVING THIS POLITICAL ISSUE WHILE BEING COOPERATIVE WITH OUR GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCIES. WE KNOW THAT ANY INTERRUPTION OF OUR PRODUCTS CAN LEAD TO PANIC BECAUSE OUR PRODUCTS ARE VITAL TO YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND HEALTH. OUR FAMILY BUSINESS HAS FACED MANY POLITICAL CHALLENGES BEFO…

December 4, 2024 Why Anthony Fauci Is Concerned about Bird Flu and Public Division “America’s Doctor” says that our common enemy is the danger posed by viruses, not each other. By Rachel Feltman, Tanya Lewis, Fonda Mwangi & Jeffery DelViscio Anaissa Ruiz Tejada/Scientific American Health Podcasts https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/anthony-fauci-warns-of-bird-flu-dangers-and-how-public-division-could-make/

Tests for avian flu are underway after 31 swans were found dead at a Sacramento County park over the last week. According to Sacramento County, the swans were found at the lake in Mather Regional Park. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is conducting the tests out of an abundance of caution. https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/mather-regional-park-closed-death-31-swans/103-933d9df0-0e73-4e20-954d-dead77a58263

“CDFA dairy inspectors sampled milk from bottled products and bulk milk storage at Raw Farm’s bottling facility on Wednesday, Nov 27, and laboratory test results made known on November 28 showed the presence of the bird flu virus. All milk tested by CDFA remained at the Raw Farm plant and was not released to consumers.” https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/health/raw-farm-raw-milk-products-distribution-suspended-california/index.html

Organic Pastures pleads guilty in shipping of Raw Milk – Mark McAfee, owner of Organic Pastures, still defiant By E. coli Attorney on December 23, 2008 The Kerman-based dairy that has been linked to bacterial illnesses and recalls, on Monday agreed to plead guilty to shipping misbranded food — in this case, raw milk labeled for pet use that instead was consumed by people — across state lines. According to the Fresno Bee – In a plea agreement filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Fresno, Organic Pastures agreed to, among other things: 1) Organic Pastures Dairy in Kerman is one of only two raw-milk producers in California, 2) Stop shipping unpasteu…

And while the virus is less lethal in cows than birds, dead cows and calves have piled up along roadsides in Tulare County, with farmers and veterinarians reporting mortality rates far higher than expected. https://www.yahoo.com/news/bird-flu-cases-rise-staff-110048708.html

Untroubled by the positive tests and the possibility of selling raw milk products tainted with the bird flu virus, McAfee told The Times that he is urging consumers to “get to the store. Immediately!” https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-11-29/raw-farm-sales-suspendedP985L

Raw Farm said that the CDFA “has placed a quarantine on our herd, and all milk must be sold for pasteurization until the quarantine is lifted.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bird-flu-detected-second-lot-raw-milk-sold-california-health-officials-rcna182152

McAfee confirmed to The Times that his cows have H5N1 bird flu virus. He said he was not aware the cows had the disease until this week because they “are so healthy that they do not show the classic signs or symptoms. They are mostly all asymptomatic.” https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-11-29/raw-farm-sales-suspended

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is issuing a second warning to Californians to not consume raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County due to a detection of bird flu virus in a second retail sample. At the state’s request, the company has issued a voluntary recall of the affected milk lot code number 20241119 with a Best By date of 12/07/2024 printed on the packaging. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-042.aspx

Fresno-based Raw Farm, has a lot code of 20241109 and a "Best By" date of Nov. 27, 2024, according to the California Department of Public Health California Acts to Protect Public Health: CDPH Warns Against Drinking Single Lot of Raw Milk Following Bird Flu Detection; Secures Voluntary Recall November 24, 2024 NR24-039 No illnesses have been reported; Pasteurized milk is safe to drink …

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will provide an update Tuesday morning on the status of a B.C. teenager infected with H5N1 avian influenza and the investigation into the case. The press conference will take place at 11 a.m. PT https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/bonnie-henry-to-provide-update-on-b-c-teen-infected-with-h5n1-avian-flu/ar-AA1uJZkn

A/dairy cow/Missouri/BI-MD-031/2024 | 6/11/24 recent upload to GISAID on 11/24/24 was a partial sequence for all eight segments