Cow photo via maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com

California’s health officials are noting what appear to be the first human bird flu cases in the state — associated with an outbreak of infected dairy cattle in the Central Valley.

There is no known link or contact between the two cases, suggesting only animal-to-human spread of the virus in California. In both cases, the individuals experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (eye redness), according to a news release from the California Department of Public Health.

Neither reported respiratory symptoms, nor was hospitalized.

Last month, California health officials announced that three unnamed dairies in the Central Valley had cases of bird flu in their herds. California was among the latest of 14 total states reporting outbreaks of bird flu in cattle. The disease was first detected in U.S. poultry in 2022.

“The risk to the general public remains low, but people who interact with infected animals, like dairy or poultry farm workers, are at higher risk of getting bird flu. CDPH recommends that personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as respirators (N95 masks), eye protection (face shields or safety goggles), and gloves be worn by anyone working with animals or materials that are infected or potentially infected with the bird flu virus. Wearing PPE helps prevent infection,” according to the California Department of Public Health.