Two cases of bird flu have been reported in California’s San Joaquin County, according to local health officials.
This is evident from a press release issued on Friday reported by the Sacramento Bee, health officials with San Joaquin County Public Health Services said both cases occurred in farmworkers exposed to infected animals. Both individuals have shown mild symptoms and are recovering, officials said, adding that there are a total of 34 confirmed cases across California.
With a warning issued on Facebook, health officials said bird flu is “spreading among some farm animals such as poultry and cows” and urged residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
Precautions include using protective equipment when working with poultry, dairy cows or other animals that could be infected, as well as when handling raw and unpasteurized milk.
Recommended protective equipment includes respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, goggles or face shields, coveralls, headgear, boots and gloves.
There are currently a total of 60 confirmed cases of bird flu across the country. While the majority of cases are from California, other states with confirmed cases include Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Washington. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of bird flu – which stems from a type of influenza A virus – include pink eye or conjunctivitis, fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose and shortness of breath. The majority of recent cases of bird flu have caused pink eye and mild respiratory symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic declared on its website.
Treatments for bird flu typically consist of antiviral drugs included Oseltamivir, Peramivir or Zanamivir.