California confirms fourth case of bird flu in humans

October 11, 2024

1 minute read

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

Nationally, 18 people have tested positive for the virus this year, which has been confirmed in dairy herds in 14 states. All but one of the people were known to have been exposed to sick livestock 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 had been notified of two more possible human cases.

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