Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, continues to make its way through the U.S., as Hawaii joins the list of affected states. As of Nov. 18, California has confirmed 27 human cases of bird flu, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The California Department of Food and Agriculture also confirmed bird flu in 335 dairy farms in Central California as of that same date. Meanwhile, Arizona reported its first bird flu outbreak on Nov. 15 in poultry at a commercial farm in Pinal County. “It’s clear that the avian influenza outbreak is getting worse, not better.”The expert added that it will be more difficult to differentiate bird flu cases from non-bird flu cases during the seasonal influenza season.
