California has declared a state of emergency due to the rising number of bird flu cases, which have spread from animals to humans, affecting dozens of farm workers. Tens of millions of birds have been culled in the US due to the avian virus, and 61 people have fallen ill, with half of these cases in California. The CDC has reported the first severe human case in the US, involving a patient in Louisiana who contracted the virus from sick and dead birds in their backyard. This case is notable because it required hospitalization, unlike previous mild or asymptomatic cases. Currently, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, keeping the risk to the general public low. The outbreak has also contributed to a significant increase in egg prices, up more than 37% since last year. The CDC advises caution when handling dead birds and chickens, emphasizing that the severe case occurred due to contact at the patient's home.