Second Case of Bird Flu in US Dairy Farm Workers
US health authorities have confirmed a second case of bird flu in a human, less than two months after the first case. The outbreak of the disease, known as H5N1, is circulating widely among dairy cows.
Details of the Cases
- The first case was reported in Texas.
- The second case was reported in Michigan.
- Both individuals infected were dairy farm workers.
- They experienced only minor symptoms and have since recovered.
Risk Assessment by CDC
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the risk to the general public remains low despite the second infection. However, they anticipate more cases due to the high levels of the virus in raw milk from infected cows.
Latest Case in Michigan
The most recent case in Michigan was detected in a worker on a dairy farm where the H5N1 virus had been identified in cows. The worker had mild symptoms and has fully recovered.
Spread of the Virus
As of the latest update, 52 US herds in nine states have been infected with bird flu. The US Department of Agriculture has identified spread between cows within the same herd and between dairies.
Precautionary Measures
- Sick cows can recover with minimal mortality when treated.
- No evidence of increased transmissibility to humans has been found.
- Financial aid is available to affected farms for protective equipment.
Concerns and Future Outlook
While there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission currently, health officials are concerned about the potential for the virus to mutate into a form that could spread among humans.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) has been a growing concern since its emergence in 1996, with an increasing number of outbreaks in birds and mammals in recent years.
