CDC reports third dairy worker infected with bird flu, risk to public remains low
Dairy Worker in Michigan Contracts Bird Flu: Third U.S. Case Confirmed
A third individual in the United States has tested positive for bird flu, marking the latest development in a series of infections affecting dairy workers. This time, the infection presents differently.
The infected worker, based in Michigan, contracted the bird flu virus through contact with infected cattle. Unlike the previous cases, this individual showed respiratory symptoms, as confirmed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The earlier cases, including another in Michigan and one in Texas, only reported eye discharge.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the latest case involved the dairy worker experiencing eye discharge and a cough, but no fever. Initial tests conducted by Michigan’s health department confirmed the presence of influenza A(H5), the strain responsible for avian influenza. Further verification by CDC scientists upheld these findings.
CDC Monitoring Virus Changes
Health officials are investigating whether the respiratory symptoms indicate any changes in the virus. CDC scientists are conducting additional genetic sequencing to understand the virus’s behavior better.
Despite the new symptoms, there has been no significant rise in influenza cases in the regions affected by the virus. The CDC has not observed any unusual increases in emergency room visits or positive flu tests. Additionally, there have been no reports of the virus spreading within households of the infected workers.
The three infected workers, including their families, have been closely monitored and offered antiviral treatments. Michigan’s health department, under the guidance of Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, is actively collaborating with farms to screen for sick animals and monitor farmworker symptoms. So far, 45 individuals have been tested.
Low Risk to the General Public
The CDC reassures that the current bird flu outbreak in cows does not pose a significant threat to the general public. Those at risk are primarily individuals with direct, prolonged exposure to infected animals. The CDC advises such workers to wear protective gear and report any flu-like symptoms to local health authorities.
In the first Michigan case, the worker contracted the virus after contaminated milk splashed into his eye while he was not wearing protective gear. In the most recent case, the worker, who was not masked, directly handled a sick animal. Dr. Bagdasarian emphasized the importance of using personal protective equipment to mitigate risks. She noted that the general public’s risk remains low, with no secondary infections or human-to-human transmission observed so far.
The CDC advises the public to avoid consuming raw, unpasteurized milk. Pasteurization processes effectively inactivate the virus, ensuring that pasteurized milk is safe for consumption.
As health officials continue their investigations, the focus remains on protecting farmworkers and ensuring the virus does not spread further. The situation underscores the need for stringent safety measures in agricultural settings to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
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