What you need to know about Newsom’s state of emergency on bird flu

good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start Thursday.

State of emergency declared in California, CDC confirms severe case of bird flu in Louisiana

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Wednesday, kicking into gear California’s response to rising cases of avian influenza among its dairy herds.

“This declaration is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to quickly respond to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement.

The order was issued after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the nation’s first severe case in a patient in Louisiana.

Times reporter Suzanne Last wrote Wednesday that the development is “concerning public health officials because of its seriousness.” “Federal authorities did not provide details of the patient’s symptoms and deferred all inquiries to the Louisiana Department of Public Health.”

Suzanne’s calls and emails to the agency went unanswered Wednesday night.

What does order mean?

Newsom’s office said in a statement Wednesday that the declaration is intended to “further strengthen the state’s preparedness and accelerate ongoing response efforts across agencies.”

This includes more flexible staffing rules, suspending work hour limits for many positions, and streamlining typical contractor procedures. Newsom’s proclamation also instructs the state’s residents to “follow the instructions of emergency officials regarding this state of emergency to protect your safety.”

“Building on California’s testing and surveillance system, the largest in the nation, we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting the agricultural industry, and ensuring Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information.” said Newsom. “While the risk to the general public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”

How serious is bird flu now?

Of the 61 human cases recorded by the CDC so far in the country, 34 were in California. Human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed so far, but Suzanne recently revealed that one more mutation could make the strain currently affecting dairy cows more easily transmitted between humans. The research results were reported.

Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote in a Times opinion column this week that while the virus is largely contained, things could change.

“Just because a single mutation is found in the lab that could facilitate further human infections does not mean this threat will play out in the real world,” Chin-Hong added. “But the more infections occur, as is currently happening among U.S. poultry and dairy cattle, the more likely it is that some of these mutations will emerge by chance and spread.”

Cows graze at the Shilo II wind farm in the Montezuma Hills near Rio Vista, California, on May 25, 2021.

(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

Dairy and poultry workers are currently most at risk. These are huge industries in California. Milk and dairy products are the state’s top agricultural products, and the poultry market ranks 13th in the nation in sales, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Of the 865 infected cattle herds in the United States, 649 were in California, or about 75%, according to USDA data. Infections have been reported in the Central Valley and Southern California.

All but one of the cases in California were among dairy farm workers. But the CDC also noted that “hunters and people who keep backyard or recreational herds” are at higher risk.

Like COVID-19, there are different strains of H5N1. The version distributed to wild birds is labeled D1.1. The strain circulating in dairy cows is known as B3.13.

Testing samples from cattle herds and poultry farms is key to identifying the virus and reducing its spread.

But as my colleague Suhauna Hussain reported earlier this month, the state’s first line of defense against rising bird flu cases is being stretched thin.

Current and former California Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety employees told her that the UC Davis facility is understaffed, leading to long hours and burnout, and contributing to mistakes.

What can you do to protect yourself?

The CDC characterizes the current public health risk as low, but also notes the following precautions people should know:

Do not consume raw milk or products made using raw milk. Avoid contact with wild birds in general, especially sick or dead birds (including domestic birds). Avoid unprotected physical contact or close contact with cattle that may be infected with the virus.

The CDC notes that the federal government is developing a vaccine against avian influenza “in case it is needed.”

Suzanne has been reporting on the surge in bird flu cases in California. You can read more about her report here.

Today’s top news

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved two major clean air rules for California aimed at reducing pollution from cars and trucks.

(Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

The EPA has approved a ban on new sales of gasoline-powered vehicles in California by 2035.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week signed two major clean air rules for California aimed at reducing pollution from cars and trucks. Approving the rule ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House will make it more difficult for the incoming Trump administration. Experts say other enemies could attack them.

California man involved in Madison school shooting may have planned his own attack

A Southern California man who had been in contact with the Madison, Wisconsin, school shooter was allegedly planning an attack on a government building, according to records and media reports. Authorities say 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow shot and killed her teacher. A student, a teenager and six others were injured and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin on Monday.

Here’s what we know about the Fed’s plans to cut rates further and fight inflation.

Although the Federal Reserve has decided to cut interest rates further, it has backed off expectations for a rate cut in the near future. Plans for further interest rate cuts in 2025 are murky as progress in curbing inflation stalls and uncertainty rises over the impact of the incoming Trump administration. The Fed’s recent interest rate cuts may help financially strained households, but they haven’t done much for potential home buyers or sellers.

A new mausoleum erects in a high-rise building for the dead in Los Angeles

A 100-foot-tall, five-story mausoleum stands at the west end of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which was designed as an alternative for cities moving away from above-ground burials. We need to come up with creative ways to increase burial space,” said Yog Kansia, co-owner and chief financial officer of Hollywood Forever.

what else is going on

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This morning’s must-read

(Gina Ferrazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Trauma is prevalent in women’s prisons. Can California chart a new course with Chowchilla? Efforts are underway to reform life within the walls of the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. However, most female prisoners have experienced levels of trauma that make it difficult to build trust.

How can we make this newsletter even more useful? Send your comments to [email protected].

for your downtime

Southern California has some great dog parks that are worth the trip.

(Patrick Hruby/Los Angeles Times)

going out

During your stay

Question for you: What is your favorite holiday movie?

Brian Niemiec writes: “My favorite holiday movie is Joe Dante’s Gremlins. I worked at a toy store in the ’80s when cabbage patch dolls were all the rage. It captures the chaos and cruel black humor of the season.”

And Bill Burns writes: “I have to say my new favorite Christmas movie is ‘Single All the Way.'” It’s a great way to avoid having to endure the pity and sadness of a family worried about being single. , the story of a young gay man who returns home with his best friend, pretending to be his boyfriend. This is a story about the true gift of the holiday season. ”

Email us at [email protected]. Your answer could be published in this week’s newsletter.

And finally… from our archives

Kate Winslet (right) and Leonardo DiCaprio star in James Cameron’s epic historical romance Titanic (1997).

(Paramount Pictures)

Titanic, directed by James Cameron, was released in U.S. theaters on December 19, 1997. Film critic Kenneth Turan at the time wrote of this box office hit as “bringing me to tears” with the headline, “‘Titanic’ Sinks Again (Spectacularly)”. Frustrated. ”

“I blame the needless loss of life, not because of budget overruns, but in the actual 1912 disaster, when an iceberg sliced ​​through the ship like a can opener, killing more than 1,500 of the more than 2,200 passengers. It’s not even meant to be a reminder. What’s really tear-jerking is director Cameron’s insistence that writing this kind of film is within his abilities. Not only is it not, it’s not even close.”

Have a great day! From the Essential California team

Reporter Ryan Fonseca
Defne Karabattur, comrades
Andrew Campa, Sunday Reporter
Hunter Claus, Multiplatform Editor
Christian Orozco, Deputy Editor
Stephanie Chavez, Subway Deputy Editor
Karim Doumar, Head of Newsletter

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