Fourth case of avian influenza confirmed in humans
In the USA, a fourth human case of Avian Flu has been confirmed. The health department in the US state of Colorado announced on a Wednesday that an adult man tested positive for Avian Flu after complaining of mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis. The man is an employee of a dairy farm who had come into contact with infected cattle and has since recovered after antiviral treatment. The first three people to test positive were also workers in dairy farms.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case and stated that the risk for the general public from Avian Flu remains low. However, people with contact with infected animals carry a higher risk. In the USA, the outbreak of Avian Flu in poultry farms is causing concern. In March, US authorities reported the first outbreak of the H5N1 virus in dairy cattle. Since then, 139 herds have been infected in twelve states. Scientists are concerned that contact with the virus in poultry and dairy farms could increase the risk of the virus mutating and potentially leading to transmission between humans.
Moderna, a US biotech company, received a $176 million financial boost from the government on Tuesday to accelerate the development of its Avian Flu vaccine.
- This marks the fourth confirmed case of Avian Flu in people residing within the USA.
- The USA has reported a higher risk for individuals with animal contact, given the ongoing outbreak of Avian Flu in dairy farms.
- Moderna, based in the USA, received significant funding to expedite the development of its Avian Flu vaccine, aiming to mitigate potential human transmission.
