California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in December in regard to avian influenza A H5N1, also known as bird flu, according to the California Department of Public Health.
In California, there have been 38 confirmed cases of bird flu found in humans this year with the last case being reported on Jan. 14, according to the CDPH.
Mather Regional Park, located in Sacramento County, was shut down from Dec. 3 until Jan. 25 after at least 30 swans were found dead and tested for bird flu.
“There should be more awareness, so it’s known to the public what they’re going to see at the park,” said Gisselle Flores, a 19-year-old biology major.
The flu has been present mostly in wild birds and farm animals but has been making its way to domestic animals, such as household cats, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While the current risk to the public remains low, there are precautionary measures that should be taken to ensure the safety of the community, Cosumnes River College Nurse Michelle Barkley said.
“You want to get things pasteurized or at least heated,” Barkley said. “Make sure your eggs and your chicken are cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Barkley said it’s important to practice good hygiene such as hand washing, food handling and avoiding any poultry that hasn’t been cooked all of the way.
Lack of awareness about the bird flu’s spread was a common concern among students and faculty on campus.
“We don’t really know the symptoms and I wouldn’t know how the symptoms vary from regular flu or COVID,” said English professor Heather Hutcheson.
Bird flu symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, difficulty breathing, headaches and gastrointestinal issues, Barkley said. If you’re exhibiting any of these symptoms, call your primary care provider first and quarantine, she said.
Giovanni Labrasca, a 21-year-old English major said he didn’t know humans could contract avian influenza, but he and his boyfriend were taking preventative measures in an attempt to protect their pet pigeons from the flu.
“We decided to keep them in their coop, so that they didn’t mingle with the other pigeons and they might get avian flu,” he said.
Labrasca said they gave the birds to an indoor owner in an attempt to protect them further.
The Sacramento County Department of Health Services can be contacted at (916) 875-5881 to report any ill or deceased wildlife.
When coming in contact with wild or dead birds, “If in doubt keep your distance,” Barkley said.