A third person in the US has been diagnosed with avian influenza.
It was just a matter of time until another instance of bird flu in a human was discovered. But this time, things are different. US authorities still see no heightened risk for the average person.
A third case of H5N1 infection in a human has been confirmed in the United States. The Michigan State Health Department reveals that the worker encountered infected cows. This is the second reported case in this state. The first H5N1 infection, assumed to have occurred through contact with infected cattle, happened to a laborer in Texas a few weeks ago. "There's no connection between these three people," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated.
The initial two cases involved symptoms much like conjunctivitis. But now it's different. The man in the present case also displays respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and watery eyes, according to CNN. "This individual suffered from respiratory symptoms, including cough, sneezing, sore throat, and watery eyes," said Dr. Nirav Shah, deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a press conference.
It is not yet known if the respiratory symptoms are caused by a mutation in the virus. The CDC is currently conducting further investigations to find out. The respiratory tract symptoms could also be a sign of the infection path. Therefore, it is possible that the man breathed in infectious aerosols at the milking station.
"In the first case in Michigan, the eye symptoms developed after infected milk was sprayed directly into the eye. In this instance, respiratory symptoms emerged following direct exposure to an infected cow," Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for Michigan, shared with CNN. "Neither of the two individuals donned complete personal protective equipment (PPE). This emphasizes the fact that physical contact with infected livestock poses a risk to humans and that PPE serves as a vital tool to prevent the spread of the virus amongst people working on dairy and poultry farms. We have not observed any signs of personal-to-person transmission, and the current health risk for the general public remains low."
The CDC also shares the same opinion. However, anyone who interacts with these animals should wear protective clothing and be vigilant when managing sick or deceased animals, including birds and cows. In addition, one ought to alert their local health department if flu-like symptoms develop. The agency suggests steering clear of raw milk and only consuming pasteurized milk.
Around 220 people in Michigan are being monitored for probable infection with the virus, Shah disclosed to CNN. Among them are relatives and coworkers of the laborer experiencing respiratory issues. The laborer is experiencing only mild symptoms and is being treated with the antiviral drug Oseltamivir, which contains the same active ingredient as Tamiflu. He is also in home isolation. None of his family members or other farm workers have contracted the illness, the CDC clarified.
Given the high level of human-dairy cow interaction, it's unsurprising that there are more human infections. In the US, the H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected in more than 60 dairy herds. Recently, it was reported that the H5N1 virus was also found in alpacas in Idaho. [Dr. Seema Lakdawala, an infectious disease expert at Emory University specializing in the transmission of the virus on dairy farms, noted, "It's hardly surprising that there are more human infections." In the US, the H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected in over 60 dairy herds. Just lately, reports surfaced that the H5N1 virus was also encountered in alpacas in Idaho.]
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The avian flu strain responsible for the recent human cases in the USA is a concern for public health officials, given its previous ability to transmit between animals and humans. The USA has reported multiple cases of H5N1 infection in humans, with symptoms extending beyond conjunctivitis to include respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and sore throat.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating whether the respiratory symptoms in the latest case are due to a virus mutation or a change in infection path. They emphasize the importance of wearing protective clothing and maintaining vigilance when handling sick or deceased animals, including cows and birds, to prevent the spread of the influenza virus among farm workers.
Educational resources are critical in preventing infections, as infectious diseases, such as avian flu, can pose risks to both animal agriculture and human health. The CDC advises individuals to stay informed about infectious diseases, install proper ventilation systems on farms, and follow recommended protocols for handling livestock to minimize the risk of human-to-human and animal-to-human transmission.
