Bird flu is presumed to have infected four poultry workers in Washington state, making it the sixth U.S. state to identify human cases this year, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Cows in California are dying at much higher rates from bird flu than in other affected states, industry and veterinary experts said, and some carcasses have been left rotting in the sun as rendering plants struggle to process all the dead animals.
The Australian government has committed A$95 million (C$87.2 million) to fight a virulent strain of bird flu wreaking havoc globally. With the arrival of millions of migratory birds this spring, there is an increased risk of a deadly strain arriving in Australia, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
California is investigating five possible human cases of bird flu among dairy farm workers, in addition to the six cases previously confirmed in the state, the state health department said on Monday.
U.S. and California health officials confirmed two new cases of H5N1 bird flu in dairy farm workers in the state on Friday, bringing the total of infected dairy workers in that state to six, and the total of human cases nationwide this year to 20.
California reported a third human case of bird flu on Wednesday in a dairy worker who had contact with infected cattle and said the state identified two more possible cases in people.
Australia and New Zealand are bracing for the arrival of a destructive bird flu strain by tightening biosecurity at farms, testing shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species and war-gaming response plans.
Health officials in California are monitoring other exposed workers for symptoms on two dairy farms where two human cases of bird flu were confirmed on Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
U.S. farmers are increasing pressure to allow vaccinations for chickens, turkeys and cows to protect them from bird flu infections that have devastated flocks for three years,