HQ Team
July 4, 2024: The national public health agency of the US has reported a fourth person who was infected in the country with the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control stated that the person was a worker on a dairy farm in the Colorado state and tested positive for A (H5N1) virus.
The person worked in the same farm where cows were tested positive for the virus. Two such cases were earlier reported in Michigan and one in Texas. All cases had symptoms in their eyes or conjunctivitis — red eyes.
“The person reported eye symptoms only, received oseltamivir treatment, and has recovered,” according to a statement from the CDC.
Surveillance
The agency stated that it has been watching influenza surveillance systems closely, particularly in affected states, and there “has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including in syndromic surveillance.”
People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, including livestock, or environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.
“Based on the information available at this time, this infection does not change CDC’s current H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which the agency considers to be low.”
The person was earlier monitored because of work exposure to H5N1 virus-infected cattle and the worker reported symptoms to state health officials.
Genetic analysis
Testing results were inconclusive at the state. Specimens forwarded to CDC for additional testing were positive for influenza A(H5). The state was then notified of the results.
“Attempts to sequence the virus in the clinical specimen are underway and will be made available within 1-2 days if successful. Additional genetic analysis will look for any changes to the virus that could alter the agency’s risk assessment.”
The agency urged people to avoid close, long, or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals, including cows.
Raw milk
It also suggested that people avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding, raw milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus.
The bird flu is most often contracted by contact with sick birds. It can also be passed from person to person. Symptoms begin within two to eight days and can seem like the common flu.
Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur. Symptoms may worsen into gut and breathing issues. The disease can carry a high mortality in humans. Some antiviral drugs, if taken within two days of symptoms, may help, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
