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San Francisco DPH: H5N1 avian‑influenza fragments found in live‑bird market and wastewater; risk low
Summary
DPH reported that two asymptomatic chickens at a San Francisco live bird market tested positive for H5N1; employees were monitored with no symptoms, the market reopened, and wastewater testing detected viral fragments though later wastewater tests were negative; DPH said the public risk is low and no human cases were detected.
San Francisco Department of Public Health told the Health Commission it responded after the California Department of Public Health reported H5N1 avian‑influenza positive tests from two asymptomatic chickens at a local live bird market.
DPH said it completed daily active monitoring of employees who had close contact with the birds; employees reported no symptoms during a 10‑day monitoring period. The market was closed for the immediate response and later reopened. The department noted that WastewaterScan, a national wastewater surveillance collaborative, detected fragments of avian‑influenza genetic material in San Francisco wastewater following the market detection, but follow‑up tests later in May did not detect genetic fragments.
Colfax emphasized that avian‑influenza remains a low risk to the general public in San Francisco and that no human cases of H5N1 had been detected in patient specimens forwarded to public health labs. DPH said it is coordinating with federal, state and local partners, increasing respiratory specimen submissions for laboratory testing as needed, and will update the public if further protective actions are required.
