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CDC Confirms Another Human Bird Flu Case, Bringing Total to 67

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 17, 2025.

By India Edwards HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed another human H5N1 avian flu case -- otherwise known as bird flu -- in California on Thursday, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 67.

California has been hit hardest, accounting for 38 cases, according to CDC data.

The latest case involved a San Francisco child who developed fever and conjunctivitis but was not hospitalized and has since fully recovered.

Most of the H5N1 infections in California have been linked to exposure to sick dairy cows, as well as poultry, though state health officials have reported two cases with undetermined exposure sources. Both involved children.

In its latest report, the CDC emphasized that the risk to the general public still remains low. However, certain groups are at higher risk, including:

The CDC also outlined factors that could raise the threat level, including increased disease severity and genetic changes in the virus.

The CDC recommends several measures to curb the spread of bird flu:

Sources

  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, news release, Jan. 15, 2025

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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