A third dairy in the United States tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.
The most recent case is that of a Michigan farmworker who developed respiratory symptoms, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The first two cases, in Michigan and one in Texas, had eye discharge, but this third case has broader symptoms.
This is the latest human progression in the bird flu outbreak that has affected many more farm animals at least in the states, according to reports compiled through the U. S. Department of Agriculture. U. S.
But is this a “sacred cow” moment in this epidemic?Does this third human case constitute an update of the virus in households that makes it more likely to cause future illness in humans?
Well, a report from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been released in the U. S. The U. S. Department of Agriculture and Drug Administration indicated that respiratory symptoms most commonly consisted of cough without fever, as well as watery discharge from the eyes. The patient received the antiviral remedy oseltamivir, remained isolated at home and appears to be recovering without complications.
The CDC is still in the process of sequencing the genome of the virus captured from the patient’s samples to see if the virus has evolved in a worrying way. So far, there is no indication that it has spread from human to human in any way. .
The absence of human-to-human transmission is essential. For an epidemic or pandemic to occur among humans, there will have to be sustained human-to-human transmission. It’s not that all humans work, live, and play with cows. Therefore, the spread so far has been limited to humans who have had close interactions with cows. For example, this third user may have contracted the virus by interacting with a cow in poor health without wearing a mask. The first Michigan case had splashes of infected milk in her eyes.
Therefore, the CDC says this third case “replaces CDC’s existing human health threat assessment of avian influenza A (H5N1) for the general U. S. public. “All three sporadic cases have had direct contact with inflamed cows. The threat depends on the exposure, and in this case, the applicable exposure is for inflamed animals. The threat to the general public who is exposed to inflamed animals remains low.
If you are around farm animals (or birds), it’s a good idea to do some bovine intervention: wear personal protective equipment and watch for any flu-like symptoms. animals, since you may not be able to tell if they are infected. Cows don’t tend to say, “Dude, I’m not feeling too well” or “I’ve got a fever and I want a bell. “
Also, stay informed about what’s happening with this HPAI outbreak. HPAI H5N1 may not pose an increased risk to humans who do not live with cows or drink raw milk lately. But flu viruses can continue to mutate. And while maximum mutations don’t make any difference, you never know when a given mutation might end up giving you the bird.
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