The H5N1 avian influenza virus, initially known for its impact on birds, has been detected in dairy cattle in California's Central Valley, marking the state's first such cases. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed that three dairies have been quarantined as a precaution. Although there have been no human cases in California, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 14 human cases in the U.S. since 2022, mainly from exposure to infected poultry. Health officials assure that pasteurization effectively neutralizes the virus, posing no risk to the milk supply. The virus has now spread to 14 states, infecting 196 herds nationwide. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further transmission.