California issued a statewide emergency declaration on Wednesday in response to the escalating bird flu crisis. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the urgent need for heightened efforts to combat the widespread threat to public safety and property.
Newsom expressed the inadequacy of local authorities in managing the extensive damage inflicted by the Bird Flu outbreak, prompting the necessity for a more comprehensive approach.
The declaration follows extensive endeavors by California, a prominent milk-producing state, to contain the spread primarily originating from dairy farms. Since March, the state has reported 34 human cases linked to the outbreak, affecting over 600 dairies, predominantly concentrated in the agricultural hub of Central California.
The identification of the flu in cows in Southern California on December 12 prompted a strategic shift from localized containment measures to statewide vigilance and response protocols.
California’s proactive stance marks it as the first state to enact such a far-reaching declaration, distinguishing it from Colorado’s limited emergency measures confined to a single county, as per statements from Newsom’s Deputy Communications Director Elana Ross.
Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the initial severe case of avian flu in a person on the same day, clarifying that the virus has not yet become endemic nationwide with no instances of human-to-human transmission. Newsom’s office highlighted that almost all human cases in California had direct contact with infected cattle.
The state of emergency entails increased engagement from the California Office of Emergency Services, along with state assistance to local authorities in terms of staffing, resources, and other essential services. Additionally, certain labor regulations for state employees, including work hour restrictions, have been temporarily eased to address the crisis effectively.
Kim Johnson, California’s new health secretary, expressed confidence in the state’s management of the outbreaks, underscoring the minimal risks to the general populace. However, she cautioned that viruses have the potential to mutate and enhance their transmission capabilities, necessitating continuous vigilance.