The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a third human H5N1 bird flu case in California, the agency has announced. As in the two cases in that state confirmed last week – these two more people also reported occupational exposure to infected dairy cows. According to federal health officials, till now - all four cases in the western state have occurred in dairy workers from three different farms with no known contact with each other, suggesting animal-to-human spread.

CDC said the persons experienced mild symptoms – which included eye redness or discharge – signs of conjunctivitis. Even though none of the three cases have been hospitalized, they are isolated as per norms. According to the CDC, the identification of H5 in those with exposure to infected animals is not unexpected and does not change their risk assessment for the public, which continues to be low.

Officials say as of now, 20 human cases of H5N1 virus – also known as avian influenza, a viral infection that usually spreads in birds but can sometimes spread to humans - have now been reported in the United States since 2022; 19 cases during 2024. It leads to severe respiratory symptoms.

The CDC says it continues to underscore the importance of recommended precautions for people with exposure to infected or potentially infected animals. People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, including livestock, or exposure to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.

A few prominent symptoms of bird flu include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stuffy and runny nose
• Breathlessness
• Pink eye or conjunctivitis

How does bird flu spread?

According to doctors, humans get bird flu if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, like spit, respiratory droplets, or poop. You can breathe it in from small dust particles in animal habitats or get it into your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching body fluids.

However, you do not get bird flu from eating properly cooked poultry or eggs. Any flocks known to have avian flu virus are immediately taken out of the human food supply.

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