California Confirms 4th Human Case of Bird Flu

Reuters
By Reuters
October 10, 2024California
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California Confirms 4th Human Case of Bird Flu
Test tube labelled "Bird Flu" in front of U.S. flag in this illustration taken on June 10, 2024. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

CHICAGO—California on Thursday confirmed a fourth case of bird flu in a person who had contact with infected dairy cattle.

Nationwide, 18 people this year have tested positive for the virus, which has been confirmed in dairy herds in 14 states. All but one of the people were known to be exposed to sick cattle or poultry.

The four people who tested positive in California, the most populous U.S. state, were exposed to infected cows at four separate farms, the California Department of Public Health said.

The department added that it was notified of two additional possible human cases.

People who tested positive in California suffered mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge, and were not hospitalized, the department said.