Merced County health officials confirm human case of Bird Flu

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Bird Flu cases continue to rise in the Valley, as Merced County has confirmed its first human case.

Merced County Health Department officials tell Action News the infected person had direct exposure to infected cattle at a dairy farm within the county.

"This just illustrates the profound importance between the relationship between humans and animals," said Dr. Erik Olstad, a veterinarian and professor at UC-Davis.

He says strains of the flu are known to mutate and H5N1 is now jumping to other species.

"This one is a little different. This one jumped from birds to cows. And then now we're seeing it jump from birds to cats. Birds, cows, to humans," explained Dr. Olstad.

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Dr. Olstad says it can be difficult for farmers to detect when an animal is infected.

"Sometimes the cow has no signs and is shedding this virus either through the milk or through other secretions so whenever a virus sheds secretly like that, that's not great because we don't know how to identify the infected animal," Dr. Olstad said.

In the meantime, the health department is asking anyone who works with animals that could be infected to be extra take precautions.

If you were in contact with an infected animal, it's advised to see a doctor immediately and isolate for at least 10 days after that initial exposure.

At last update, state health officials have confirmed 13 other cases in both Tulare and Kings counties.

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