Two human cases of the H5N1 virus, also known as avian flu or bird flu, have been confirmed in San Joaquin County, public health officials announced on Friday.
The cases occurred in farmworkers with known exposure to infected animals. Both of the farmworkers have had mild symptoms and are recovering, according to public health officials.
There have been 34 confirmed human cases of avian flu in California this year.
People who handle birds, poultry or cattle are at higher risk for H5N1 and should follow safety precautions, including wearing recommended personal protective equipment when working in close contact with these animals, public health officials said.
“We have an abundance of dairy farms in our county and want to ensure that these farmworkers can do their important work as safely as possible by using (personal protection equipment),” said Dr. Maggie Park, San Joaquin County’s public health officer. “We are also encouraging the public to avoid consuming raw milk or raw eggs and not to handle any dead birds. Our agency is working closely with numerous county and state partners to continue monitoring the status of H5N1 cases.”
Recommended equipment includes N95 masks, face shields or safety goggles, and gloves. It is also recommended that farm workers receive a seasonal flu vaccine.
Currently, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus, public health officials said.
San Joaquin County Public Health Services is actively monitoring exposed farmworkers for symptoms, providing flu vaccinations, and distributing personal protective equipment and educational resources to farms.
People who have been exposed to infected animals should look for the following symptoms within 10 days after their last interaction:
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Eye redness (conjunctivitis)
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Difficulty with breathing
If a person starts to feel sick, they should immediately isolate, notify San Joaquin County Public Health Services, and work with healthcare providers to get testing and treatment.
Exposed farmworkers can call public health services at (209) 468-3400, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or (209) 468-6000 outside of normal working hours. They can also email sjcdiseasereporting@sjcphs.org.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: 2 San Joaquin County farmworkers test positive for bird flu
