California declares state of emergency as H5N1 bird flu threatens pandemic - in chilling echo of Covid dark days | 18 Dec 2024 | California has declared a state of emergency for H5N1 bird flu amid fears that the virus could jump to people and start to spread. The move comes in response to a major outbreak of the virus among the state's cattle which has spilled over and infected dozens of dairy workers. The announcement follows news that an individual in Louisiana was hospitalized with H5N1, becoming the country's first severe case. Governor Gavin Newsom said the move would free up funds and "streamline and expedite" the state's efforts to tackle the outbreak. [Do not comply with this new scamdemic.]