Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 04 Oct 2024
California Confirms Two Dairy Workers Infected With H5N1 Bird Flu, Latest Human Cases in The US
The latest cases were found in workers who came in contact with infected cattle in the state's Central Valley, where more than 50 herds have been affected since August
Two dairy workers from California have been infected with bird flu, making them the 15th and 16th human cases of the H5N1 virus detected this year in an ongoing outbreak, health officials said. Bird flu cases have affected US dairy cows since March of this year.
The latest cases were found in workers who came in contact with infected cattle in the state's Central Valley, where more than 50 herds have been affected since August. According to officials, the two unidentified workers developed redness in their eyes – also known as conjunctivitis and had other mild symptoms, which included fever, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, and diarrhoea.
Also known as avian influenza, bird flu is a viral infection that usually spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans. H5N1 is the most common cause in humans and can lead to severe respiratory symptoms.
Infected workers were employed on farms
According to the health officials, the infected workers were employed at different farms so there is no known link between the two cases. And so, experts say that both were infected through animal contact and not by people. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the positive test results, the first for California.
CDC officials said new cases of bird flu in people exposed to infected animals are “not unexpected”. However, the risk to the public remains low, they added.
Bird flu has infected more than 250 dairy herds across 14 states
Statistics say across the US, more than 250 dairy herds have been infected in 14 states since the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed in March this year. The flu – which spreads among humans if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, like spit, respiratory droplets, or poop, has been spreading in wild and domestic birds in the country for several years but recently was found in dairy cows.
Before this year, one case of bird flu was detected in a Colorado-based poultry worker who fell ill in 2022. Most cases this year have been diagnosed in workers who had contact with cattle or poultry in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. Last month, a person from Missouri farms was also infected, but they had had no known contact with animals and the source of that illness has not been determined.
What are the risk factors for bird flu?
According to experts, those who work with poultry or waterfowl like ducks or geese are at the highest risk of getting the bird flu virus. You also may be at risk if you work with livestock.
Ways to prevent bird flu
A few ways to reduce your risk of bird flu include:
- Wear protective clothing like gloves and a mask when working with birds, wild animals, and livestock.
- Wash your hands frequently when handling birds, wild animals, and livestock with soap and water.
- Stay away from animals who have been exposed to avian influenza
- Take your shoes off before entering your home after being in areas where birds like waterfowl or chickens live
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