Health department confirms human H5 bird flu case in LA County 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed the county’s first human case of H5 bird flu in a worker exposed to livestock infected with the virus, officials said last week. 

The infected individual is an adult who became infected at a worksite, according to Public Health. The person had mild symptoms, has been treated with antivirals and is recovering at home. 

The public’s overall risk of H5 bird flu remains low with no evidence of person to person spread of the virus, officials said. The infected person’s close contacts and other workers exposed to H5 at the worksite are being monitored for symptoms and have been offered personal protective equipment, testing and antiviral prophylaxis. County officials along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health were investigating.

“People rarely get bird flu, but those who interact​ with infected livestock or wildlife ​have a greater risk of infection,” LA County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in a statement Dec. 23. “This case reminds us to take basic precautions to prevent being exposed. People should avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals including cows, poultry, and wild birds; avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products, such as raw milk; and protect pets and backyard poultry from exposure to wild animals. It is also important for everyone to get the seasonal flu vaccine, which can help prevent severe seasonal flu illness and lower the risk of getting both seasonal and bird flu infections at the same time if exposed.”

Symptoms of an H5 bird flu infection in humans include eye redness or discharge, fever, cough or difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle or body aches, diarrhea and vomiting, officials said.

People who work with infected animals such as cows, poultry or wildlife continue to be at higher risk of exposure, according to the county health department, which has been working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the LA County agricultural community to ensure groups at higher risk receive information and resources to help identify and protect against H5 infection. Farm workers, workers at dairy, egg and meat processing facilities and backyard flock owners have been provided with gloves, face masks and eye protection along with access to testing and flu vaccines. 

Anyone who was exposed to sick animals and is experiencing symptoms of bird flu should immediately contact a health care provider and local health department, officials said. 

Public Health suggested these measures to protect against H5 transmission:

— While working with animals, their feces or water sources or raw milk, people should wear personal protective equipment — disposable gloves, an N-95 mask, goggles, coveralls that keep the wearer dry, a head or hair cover,  and boot covers or boots.

— Wash hands with soap and water throughout the day and before touching the face.

— Don’t drink raw milk and don’t feed it to pets. People and their pets may get sick from drinking raw milk from infected cows.

— Do not touch the face and don’t eat, drink, or put anything near the mouth when working with animals.

— Only touch personal belongings or use the restroom after hand washing with soap and water.

— Shower and change out of work clothing and shoes before going home or shower and change clothes as soon as possible.

To reduce H5 risk for the general public, officials advised:

— Avoiding raw dairy and undercooked meat products — don’t drink raw milk or eat raw cheeses and undercooked meats. Also, don’t feed these to pets. 

— Limit contact with animals — “avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals or birds or any materials contaminated with bird feces,” county health officials said. “Avoid handling wild birds and observe them only from a distance. If you have to handle wild birds, even if they appear healthy, wear a well-fitting mask and gloves, and practice good hand hygiene, as some birds may carry the virus without showing symptoms.”

— Report sick or dead birds — if residents see sick or dead birds, they should contact local animal control agencies. “Symptoms can vary; infected birds or animals may be unable to fly, have seizures, have difficulty walking or be found dead,” officials said.

— Protect pets or poultry — “Keep pets or poultry away from wild animals and birds,” officials said. “Ensure that wild birds cannot defecate into areas holding or housing pet birds or poultry.”

— Remove bird feeders and bird baths — take down bird feeders and communal bird baths to reduce the risk of the virus spreading from bird-to-bird. 

— Get a seasonal flu vaccine.

For questions or to find a nearby clinic or doctor, residents may call the Public Health InfoLine, 833-540-0473 daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The county provides more information online about avian flu in animals, publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/HPAI.htm, and humans, ph.lacounty.gov/acd/diseases/h5n1.htm.

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