In Michigan, a worker on a dairy farm has been confirmed to have contracted the H5N1 strain of bird flu, marking the second case connected to an outbreak among dairy cows in the United States. As per health authorities in the US, the individual experienced minor eye symptoms and has since recovered.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported
that samples were taken from the patient. One sample, taken from the worker’s
nose to check for influenza virus at the state health department lab, came back
negative. However, another sample, this time from the eye, was sent to the CDC
for testing using their A(H5) test, as only a few labs are equipped for this
type of testing. The CDC confirmed that this eye sample tested positive for
A(H5) virus infection.
US health officials announced that the initial case of the virus was identified in March of this year, involving a dairy worker from Texas. This individual experienced only mild symptoms and has since recovered. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the current risk posed by the virus to the general population is minimal. Nonetheless, the CDC anticipates an increase in reported cases over time.
The CDC notes that human cases of bird flu often resemble symptoms of seasonal flu or upper respiratory infections. These symptoms typically include fever, cough, runny nose, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, redness in the eyes, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In more severe instances, the virus can progress to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and other complications.