First bird flu cases in wildfowl reported in Los Angeles County this year
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LAKE CHICO, Calif. (KABC) — Health officials say three wildfowl have been found dead with confirmed infections of bird flu within the last 60 hours.
A San Diego County report indicates the three birds were found near the Lake Chico airport, about nine miles of San Diego.
Lake Chico is a small community located about 75 miles northeast of San Diego.
According to the San Diego County Public Health Division, on Friday at 7:20 p.m., officials were notified of three dead wildfowl found at the Lake Calaveras and Arroyo Seco area of the San Diego Airport.
Based on testing, officials believe it’s the same strains of bird flu, according to the San Diego County Public Health Division.
The bird flu cases are all in the wild, and are not considered a public health threat, the Public Health Division said.
The bird flu cases in the Lake Chico area are two different strains, the Public Health Division said.
The first strain is one of six H5N8 strains; the other three strains are H5N3, H5N2, and H5N1.
The two bird flu cases in the Del Mar area are confirmed by the Public Health Division. The birds involved are a flock of Canada Geese that have been in the Del Mar area all year, the Public Health Division said.
The second bird flu case is at the Del Mar Municipal Airport. In the last 60 hours, officials have confirmed five new bird flu cases at this airport, according to the Public Health Division.
Officials say the bird flu is still isolated at the Del Mar Municipal Airport and is not considered a public health threat at this time.
The bird flu in the Del Mar airport is in a flock of about 30 Canada Geese, and is currently isolated.
People with bird flu are not at risk for serious illness, according to the Public Health Division.
There are only a few cases of bird flu that have been confirmed this year, including at least four in