CDC confirms California's first human cases of bird flu in two dairy workers
Two dairy workers in California have been infected with the state’s first human cases of bird flu, federal and state health officials said.
The late Thursday announcement of two confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu came after California officials said they were investigating a potential human infection.
Both cases were found at different locations in the Central Valley region, and there is no known link or contact between the two.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the lack of a known connection suggests the workers were directly infected by dairy cows.
Both workers experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis, and neither reported respiratory symptoms. Neither worker was hospitalized.
Outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu among California dairy herds were first reported in August. Including this most recent case, 16 human cases of the virus have been reported in the United States this year. Previous cases were identified in workers in Texas, Colorado and Michigan.
The CDC continues to characterize the risk posed to the general public by the outbreak as “low,” but farmworkers are at higher risk. Health officials are recommending they wear personal protective equipment such as respirators, eye protection and gloves.
Six of the 16 reported human cases have been linked to exposure to sick or infected dairy cows. Nine cases had exposure to infected poultry.
However, the source of infection for a case in Missouri has not been determined, and the agency is continuing to investigate potential person-to-person spread after several people who had close contact with the confirmed case developed flu-like symptoms.
“Ongoing health checks of individuals who interact with potentially infected animals helped us quickly detect and respond to this possible human case. Fortunately, as we’ve seen in other states with human infections, the individual has experienced mild symptoms,” Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health and state public health officer, said in a statement after the first case was announced.
“We want to emphasize that the risk to the general public is low, and people who interact with potentially infected animals should take prevention measures,” Aragón said.
As of Thursday, 254 herds across 14 states have been infected though experts suspect that’s a severe undercount. Many farmers don’t want to test their herds, and most states are not forcing it.
Date: | |
Tag: | California |
Topics
-
Health - ABC News
Two California dairy workers were infected with bird flu, latest human cases in US
Two dairy workers in California were infected with bird flu, the 15th and 16th human cases detected in the U.S. this year17 hours ago - California -
Tech - Wired
Bird Flu Fears Stoke the Race for an mRNA Flu Vaccine
Researchers have been working on mRNA flu vaccines since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but we may get one for bird flu first.Yesterday -
Top stories - ABC News
Flu vaccine lowered risk of hospitalization in Southern Hemisphere by 35%: CDC study
This year's flu vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalization in the Southern Hemisphere but wasn't as effective as the one used in the prior season, a new CDC study found.22 hours ago -
Top stories - CBS News
Flu vaccine might be less effective this year, new CDC report suggests
Flu vaccine effectiveness in South America was 35% against hospitalization.17 hours ago -
World - ABC News
Dozens of zoo tigers die after contracting bird flu in southern Vietnam
More than a dozen tigers have died after contracting bird flu at a zoo in southern Vietnam6 hours ago -
Health - ABC News
Dozens of zoo tigers die after contracting bird flu in southern Vietnam
More than a dozen tigers have died after contracting bird flu at a zoo in southern Vietnam6 hours ago -
Tech - GameSpot
Diablo 4 Is First Microsoft Game To Have PS5 Pro Enhancement Confirmed
Blizzard's Diablo IV will receive an update to take advantage of the PS5 Pro's increased horsepower. It is the first Microsoft game to have a publicly confirmed PS5 Pro upgrade, though others ...4 hours ago - Microsoft -
Top stories - NBC News
Texas man could be first to be executed in case of 'shaken baby' death
Robert Roberson is set to die this month in what would be the nation's first execution for "shaken baby syndrome," a scrutinized diagnosis that has been successfully challenged in some criminal cases.20 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Kamala Harris should embrace her biracial heritage as a campaign strategy
Kamala Harris’s candidacy is historic: she should openly define herself as the first Indian American and Black woman to seek our nation’s highest office.15 minutes ago - Kamala Harris -
Politics - The Hill
Watch live: Harris campaigns in swing state Michigan
Vice President Harris will travel to the Great Lakes State on Friday, delivering remarks to voters from Detroit. Her visit to battleground Michigan, known by many as the birthplace of organized ...15 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Biden to rally for Casey in Pennsylvania
President Biden will campaign next week for Sen. Bob Casey (D) in the swing state of Pennsylvania, the White House announced Friday. The campaign event, in the Philadelphia area, will be held ...34 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - The Hill
What is Marburg virus? Outbreak of Ebola-like disease detected in yet another country
Health officials in Rwanda are dealing with the country’s first outbreak of the Marburg virus, an Ebola-like disease which, if left untreated, has a fatality rate of up to 88%.35 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Longshoreman strike ends with tentative deal
{beacon} 12:30 REPORT It’s Friday! Tomorrow officially kicks off the monthlong countdown to Election Day. Here's what's going on today: Trump will return to the site of the first assassination ...39 minutes ago