2 human cases of Bird Flu confirmed in Tulare County

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Tulare County Department of Health has confirmed two human cases of bird flu in people who have been in contact with infected cattle.

Health officials say the cases are from two separate Tulare County dairy farms and both people have mild symptoms.

Action News was told that they contracted the airborne virus after coming into contact with infected cattle.

"We really want to emphasize that the risk to humans is extremely low, so far it has only been an animal to human contact in terms of contracting it and this is basically to anyone who has occupational exposure to dairy cattle or poultry," said Karen Elliot with Tulare County Public Health.

The first case in the United States happened back in March.

Since then, Tulare County Public Health and the Tulare County Farm Bureau have been working together to ensure employees are safe and equipped with Personal Protective Equipment.

"That includes N95 masks, goggles, face shields and masks," explained Elliot .

Precautionary measures also include weekly briefings between diaries and the state vet.

The Tulare County Fair in September also switched some of its sales to online.

"The fair was very proactive and made difficult decisions to not bring certain animals so those adult cows that are lactating were not allowed to bring those animals," said Tricia Stever Blattler with the Tulare County Farm Bureau.

Most infected cows and humans will recover.

People who are infected may experience symptoms such as eye redness, cough, sore throat, fatigue and fever.

The farm bureau says the virus is also having a financial impact on those who transport cattle and poultry due to new sanitation standards..

"Say an extra prayer for our dairies to weather one more storm," said Stever Blattler.

"They have experienced a tremendous amount of economic loss because they are not working and moving cattle around as they did before the outbreak."

The farm bureau also wants to emphasize that pasteurized milk and commercial dairy products you buy at the store are still okay to consume.

That's because they are put through a heating process that kills the virus.

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