By Jamie Martin
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed an increase in H5N1 avian flu outbreaks, affecting dairy cattle predominantly in California's Central Valley and poultry in several states. This significant rise in cases brings California's total to 461 affected herds and the national count to 675 across 15 states.
California, the largest dairy producer in the nation, now sees over a third of its commercial dairy farms battling this outbreak. The state is also facing challenges with avian flu in its large poultry operations, impacting essential egg and meat production facilities.
Further exacerbating the situation, APHIS reported additional poultry outbreaks, including a small backyard flock in Alaska and a large commercial turkey farm in Minnesota, highlighting the widespread nature of this health threat.
In related developments, Los Angeles County has issued a public health alert following the detection of H5N1 in a raw milk sample.
The county has advised against consuming milk from Raw Farm, which was sold in several local retailers. Health inspectors are ensuring the recalled product is removed from stores to prevent any potential health risks.
This series of outbreaks and the subsequent recalls underline the ongoing challenges posed by avian flu to both agricultural production and public health, stressing the importance of stringent safety measures and continuous monitoring of the situation.
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Categories: National