First human case of Bird Flu in Fresno County confirmed, health officials say

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Health officials have confirmed the first case of Bird Flu in Fresno County.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH), in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed Friday that a Fresno County resident contracted the virus after coming into contact with infected cattle at a dairy farm in an undisclosed part of the Central Valley.

Officials say the person infected is experiencing mild symptoms and is isolating at home.

In Madera County, public health officials have confirmed they have a new case.

Both departments say the virus was contracted from cattle.

Since August, the Bird Flu has swept across California, reaching 280 dairy farms and infecting 26 people.

"There are many more dairies currently undergoing testing, and there's approximately 100 in addition that are presumed positive," said Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies.

Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen says the Bird Flu has created a major problem for our local farmers.

Not only is it infecting their workers, but it can lower a dairy farm's production by 25%.

"Operations are just having to make adjustments as best as possible to try and make sure their animals, they are taking the precautions to keeping them safe as possible," said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen says milk is still safe to consume as the virus is killed during pasteurization.

Meanwhile, the Fresno County Department of Public Health has distributed roughly 60,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment to farm workers.

Jacobsen said it helps keep workers safe.

"What we just want to stop is from dairy cows to human to human. And so, the more that we can try to isolate those folks, if we do catch it on the early side, the better off we are," said Jacobsen.

Fresno County public health experts say symptoms can vary but are similar to the common cold, including a cough, running or stuffy nose, and body aches.

A person who experiences these symptoms is encouraged to reach out to their doctor and isolate for 10 days after their last exposure.

The Department of Public Health is using this opportunity to encourage everyone to get the flu vaccines.

Although a flu vaccine can't protect you from the bird flu, it can reduce the chance of severe illness.

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