US health officials have confirmed the country’s third human case of bird flu, which is connected to the ongoing outbreak of the virus in dairy cattle. The individual affected, a farm worker from Michigan, marks the second reported case in the state, following an initial case identified in Texas back in April.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all three cases have been attributed to transmission from cows to humans, rather than human-to-human contact, which would pose greater concern. This latest case is notable for presenting more typical symptoms of acute respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection, unlike the previous instances, which resulted in milder symptoms such as conjunctivitis.
The affected individual experienced symptoms including cough without fever, eye discomfort, and watery eye discharge. They received treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir and were isolated at home, with symptoms eventually resolving.
Michigan’s health department noted that the worker was not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which is recommended for individuals in close contact with dairy herds.
The outbreak has been linked to a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1), which has infected various animal species, including dairy cattle in the US since March. While European countries have banned the feeding of ground-up chicken waste to cattle due to potential bird flu risks, American farmers are permitted to do so, though the feed industry disputes any connection. US authorities attribute the spread of the virus to wild birds.
The CDC reiterated that the risk to the general public without exposure to infected animals remains low. However, precautions such as using PPE and avoiding close contact with sick or dead animals, as well as consuming unpasteurized milk, are advised. Recent testing has shown that mice can contract the virus from raw milk contaminated with bird flu, though pasteurization eliminates the risk. Additionally, bird flu has been detected in farm-raised alpacas in Idaho, further highlighting the need for vigilance and preventive measures.
