CDC: Another Human Bird Flu Case Brings Total to 67

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2025 -- On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed another case of avian influenza A(H5N1), or bird flu, in California, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 67.

California has been hit hardest, accounting for 38 cases, according to CDC data. The latest case involved a San Francisco child who developed fever and conjunctivitis but was not hospitalized and has since fully recovered.

Most of the H5N1 infections in California have been linked to exposure to sick dairy cows, as well as poultry, though state health officials have reported two cases with undetermined exposure sources. Both involved children.

In its latest report, the CDC emphasized that the risk to the general public still remains low. However, certain groups have a higher risk, including farm workers exposed to sick animals or their byproducts, backyard bird flock owners, animal care workers, and public health responders. The agency also outlined factors that could raise the threat level, including increased disease severity and genetic changes in the virus.

Meanwhile, the CDC is urging health care workers to accelerate testing for avian influenza A(H5N1) in patients hospitalized with flu symptoms.

The health advisory, issued Jan. 16, recommends that health care providers perform a test for avian influenza A(H5N1) within 24 hours of hospital admission for any patient suspected of having seasonal or bird flu. The advisory also suggests starting antiviral treatment, such as oseltamivir, immediately, without waiting for test results.

H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation

CDC Health Advisory

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-01-18 12:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords