Bird Flu Outbreak in Cattle

California is experiencing an outbreak of bird flu affecting hundreds of dairy cow herds, with Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency to allocate resources for management. The avian flu virus has been circulating in the U.S. for two years, primarily transmitted by migrating wild birds, leading to extensive die-offs in both wildlife and domestic birds. The outbreak in dairy cows is unprecedented, with around 865 herds impacted across 16 states, a significant number of which are in California. Experts stress the importance of biosecurity measures and monitoring exposure risks, noting that agriculture workers, particularly in dairy farming, face heightened risks of infection.