Gov. Newsom declares emergency in California after CDC confirms severe case of bird flu in Louisiana

Credit: Gage Skidmore

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Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Wednesday as the H5N1 bird flu virus moved from the Central Valley to Southern California dairy herds, while federal officials confirmed the first U.S. case of severe illness in a hospitalized  Louisiana patient — a concerning development as the virus continues to spread throughout the nation via migrating birds.

The declaration by Newsom will allow for a more streamlined approach among state and local agencies to tackle the virus, providing "flexibility around staffing, contracting, and other rules to support California’s evolving response," according to a statement.

“Building on California's testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information," Newsom said in the statement. "While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus."