Washington, May 23, 2024 -Another case of bird flu has been found in a person, US health officials said on Wednesday, less than two months after the first one as an outbreak of the disease among dairy cows is spreading far and wide.
According to the authorities both individuals infected with H5N1 are dairy workers; one person was from Texas while another one was from Michigan and they only had minor symptoms.
This infection followed another but “CDC rates such cases as low for public risk,” although it added that there would be more soon.
According to CDC’s statement which says “within raw milk from infected cows and having spread over this disease extensively among their species, it is likely to find additional similar human cases,” (CDC).
However, sporadic human infections with no ongoing spread will not change the CDC risk assessment for the US general public which CDC considers to be low (CDC).
Regarding the last case in Michigan, “it occurred amongst an individual who worked at cattle farm where H5N1 viruses have been isolated,” (CDC).
The patient just had a few mild symptoms according to Michigan Health and Human Services.
Two specimens were collected from the worker – one from his nose and another one from his eye – however only the latter turned out positive.
Furthermore “similarly to Texas case, there were only ocular complaints in this patient” (CDC).
Roosters, bovines and Homo sapiens
As of yesterday’s count there were a total of 52 US herds infested with bird flu across nine states out of fifty.
“Those individuals who have had close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected poultry or other birds should receive higher priority,” (CDC) so alerted also Ms. Slayton.
Though millions of birds have died due to current H5N1 strain during its two months circulation cows have not get severely ill yet.
In March cows which joined goats as victims, were surprising given that they are not supposed to be susceptible to this flu variety.
Some virus fragments also have been found in pasteurized milk but since it is well sterilized before selling in US stores, these health officials assure its safety.
There is no human to human transmission presently but experts worry that if the virus spreads widely eventually it might change into a form that would transmit between people.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) was first identified in 1996 however since 2020, bird outbreaks and infected mammals have increased exponentially.
