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#Post#: 1677--------------------------------------------------
CDC Confirms Second Human H5 Bird Flu Case in Michigan; Third Ca
se Tied to Dairy Outbreak
By: jlayman Date: May 30, 2024, 1:32 pm
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Full text of CDC statement:
CDC Confirms Second Human H5 Bird Flu Case in Michigan; Third
Case Tied to Dairy Outbreak
Risk to general public remains low
May 30, 2024 – A second human case of highly pathogenic
avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection has been identified
in the state of Michigan. This is the third human case
associated with an ongoing multistate outbreak of A(H5N1) in
U.S. dairy cows. None of the three cases are associated with the
others. As with the previous two cases (one in Texas, one in
Michigan), the person is a dairy farm worker with exposure to
infected cows, making this another instance of probable
cow-to-person spread. This is the first human case of H5 in the
United States to report more typical symptoms of acute
respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection,
including A(H5N1) viruses. [My note: Patient Zero?] CDC
continues to closely monitor available data from influenza
surveillance systems , particularly in affected states, and
there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people,
including no increase in emergency room visits for influenza and
no increase in laboratory detection of human influenza cases.
Based on the information available at this time, this case does
not change CDC’s current A(H5N1) bird flu human health
risk assessment for the U.S. general public because all three
sporadic cases had direct contact with infected cows. Risk
depends on exposure, and in this case, the relevant exposure is
to infected animals. The risk to members of the general public
who do not have exposure to infected animals remains low.
However, this development underscores the importance of
recommended precautions in 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 to environments contaminated by
infected birds or other infected animals, are at greater risk of
infection and should take precautions.
Case Background
A dairy worker with exposure to H5N1-infected cows (at a
different farm from the case last week) reported symptoms to
local health officials. The patient reported upper respiratory
tract symptoms including cough without fever, and eye discomfort
with watery discharge. The patient was given antiviral
treatment with oseltamivir, is isolating at home, and their
symptoms are resolving. Household contacts of the patient have
not developed symptoms, are being monitored for illness, and
have been offered oseltamivir. No other workers at the same farm
have reported symptoms, and all staff are being monitored. There
is no indication of person-to-person spread of A(H5N1) viruses
at this time.
Specimens were collected from the patient; one of which was
positive for influenza A(H5) virus using the CDC test at the
state health department laboratory. The specimens were forwarded
to CDC for further testing. They were received on May 29, and
testing results that night confirmed A(H5) virus infection.
Michigan was then notified of the results.
The designation of the influenza virus neuraminidase (the N in
the subtype) is pending genetic sequencing at CDC and results
will be made available within 1-2 days, if successful.
Additional genetic analysis will look for any changes to the
virus that could change the agency’s risk assessment.
CDC Activities and Risk Assessment
This case was detected through Michigan’s active
monitoring program for people exposed to infected livestock, in
collaboration with CDC. The identification of an additional case
of H5 is not surprising and shows the importance of a proactive
public health response. Given the extent of the spread of this
virus in dairy cows, additional human cases in people with
higher risk exposures would not be surprising. A CDC priority
right now is to prevent additional cases of A(H5N1) infections
in dairy herd workers, who are at higher risk of exposure. CDC
has previously provided updated interim recommendations for
worker protection to include those who work with dairy cows and
asked states to provide personal protective equipment to
farmworkers. In addition, the agency is conducting ongoing
outreach to groups representing farmworkers.
CDC Recommendations
- People should wear recommended personal protective equipment
when interacting with infected or potentially infected animals
and monitor their health for 10 days after their most recent
exposure. Learn more about CDC’s recommendations for
worker protection and use of personal protective equipment
(PPE).
- People should 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).
- People should also avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop,
bedding (litter), unpasteurized (“raw”) milk, or
materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other
animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus.
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