California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak, echoing the sweeping measures seen during his COVID-19 policies.
The announcement comes after the first severe human case of the virus in the United States was confirmed. A Louisiana patient, hospitalized with critical respiratory issues, tested positive for H5N1.
“The patient is in critical condition due to a severe respiratory illness caused by H5N1,” stated Emma Herrock, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, explained:
“The Louisiana patient likely contracted the infection through exposure to sick or dead birds on their property, although the investigation is still ongoing.”
Since April 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have documented 61 human cases nationwide, most of which involved only mild symptoms.
Despite the growing number of cases, the CDC continues to emphasize that the overall risk to the public is low.
Governor Newsom’s emergency declaration allows the state to implement measures quickly, bypassing the need for legislative approval.
“This proclamation ensures that government agencies have the resources and flexibility necessary to respond promptly to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement.
He added:
“By leveraging California’s extensive testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we aim to protect public health, support our agricultural sector, and provide Californians with accurate, timely updates. While the risk remains low, we are taking every precaution to prevent the virus from spreading further.”
According to the press release:
“Governor Gavin Newsom today proclaimed a State of Emergency to streamline and expedite the state’s response to Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as “Bird Flu.”
This action comes as cases were detected in dairy cows on farms in Southern California, signaling the need to further expand monitoring and build on the coordinated statewide approach to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus. The virus has spread in 16 states among dairy cattle, following its first confirmed detection in Texas and Kansas in March 2024.
To date, no person-to-person spread of Bird Flu has been detected in California and nearly all infected individuals had exposure to infected cattle. California has already established the largest testing and monitoring system in the nation to respond to the outbreak.
This emergency proclamation will provide state and local agencies with additional flexibility around staffing, contracting, and other rules to support California’s evolving response.”
Detractors claim that this strategy reflects Governor Newsom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which prolonged lockdowns and mandates resulted in notable economic and social challenges for Californians.
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