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Current Situation
Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu, is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy cows with recent human cases in U.S. poultry and dairy workers. Dairy cattle located in the Central Valley have tested positive for the virus, and Tulare County Public Health is working with local, state, and federal agencies to monitor Bird Flu outbreaks in farm animals and people who work closely with infected animals.

Confirmed Human Cases of Bird Flu in Tulare County

Last updated 1/28/25  *Confirmed Case reports updated weekly. Human cases are reported following confirmatory testing conducted by the CDC. Avian influenza A virus infection in a person is confirmed by the CDC's Influenza Division Laboratory or a CDC-designated laboratory using methods mutually agreed upon by the CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).

What You Need to Know

• The current risk to the general public remains low.
• People in close contact with infected animals have a higher risk of infection and should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators (N95 masks), eye protection (face shields or safety goggles), and gloves to be worn by anyone working with animals or materials that are infected or potentially infected with the bird flu virus. Wearing PPE helps prevent infection.
• Pasteurized milk and dairy products continue to be safe to consume, as pasteurization is fully effective at inactivating the bird flu virus. As an added precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is not permitted in the public milk supply.
• Tulare County Public Health recommends all residents — especially workers at risk for exposure to bird flu — receive a seasonal flu vaccine. Although the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against bird flu, it can decrease the risk of being infected with both viruses at the same time and reduce the chance of severe illness from seasonal flu.
• Worker Protection Information: Worker Protection from Bird Flu (PDF) English | Spanish (CDPH)

Request for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Tulare County has a limited supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to support organizations with H5N1 outbreak preparation and response. Milk hauling companies, cattle transport companies, and other organizations with direct contact with cattle and/or raw milk are also eligible. Please fill out the Dairy PPE Request Form and a member of Tulare County Public Health will be in contact with you to coordinate delivery and/or pick-up.

Reporting Sick Animals
Community members with backyard poultry flocks should report an unusual number of sick or dead birds to CDFA at 1-866-922-BIRD (2473).

Members of the public encountering dead or sick wildlife and birds in public, like at a park, should be reporting that to CDFW, not CDFA. Reporting form: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report

CDFW’s FAQ that includes how to dispose of dead wildlife safely: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=200657&inline

Information for hunters: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf

Additional Information for Public:

• CDPH - Avian and Novel Influenza
• CDPH – Influenza in Animals
• CDFA - Avian Flu Updates
• CDC - Key Facts about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
• CDC - Reducing Risk for People Working with or Exposed to Animals

Additional Information for Clinicians:

• CDC - Clinician Guidance
• CDC - Talking to Patients about Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza