New bird flu strain found in Merced County

The Merced County case is the first in the nation to be identified as H5N9.

The first case of H5N9 bird flu strain in the US has been identified in Merced County. 

This strain is different from the previously documented H5N1 strain, which has caused multiple cases across the country, resulting in over 60 people being sickened and one fatality.

The big picture: The World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed that the H5N9 strain detected in Merced County is a new strain in the country, with investigations beginning on Nov 23, 2024.

  • Control measures have been put in place, including the culling of 118,954 birds in December and enhanced surveillance to contain the virus.
  • Unlike previous outbreaks, this strain did not die out in high summer temperatures, and it found new hosts in dairy cattle, increasing opportunities for the virus to spread.

Driving the news: Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds, such as ducks and geese, and can be transmitted through droppings or interactions between farm-raised poultry and wild birds.

  • Health officials have not found evidence of the disease spreading from person to person, with most infections occurring in individuals working around sick animals.
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