A 3rd human case of bird flu detected, this one with respiratory symptoms

[sl8]

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/05/30/nx-s1-4985953/bird-flu-3rd-human-case-respiratory-symptoms

A 3rd human case of bird flu detected, this one with respiratory symptoms

MAY 30, 2024 2:10 PM ET
HEARD ON MORNING EDITION
By Carmel Wroth

Updated 3:10 p.m. ET

Michigan’s health department announced Thursday a human case of bird flu in a dairy worker. It’s the third human case reported to date in the current U.S. avian flu outbreak among dairy cows.

Unlike the previous two cases which only involved eye infection, this patient has respiratory symptoms, according to a statement from Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive with the Michigan health department. The patient had direct exposure to an infected cow and wasn’t wearing any personal protective equipment.

[...]

The CDC said that risk to the general public remains low. Like the other two recent cases, this infection came from direct exposure to an infected animal. “There is no indication of person-to-person spread of A(H5N1) viruses at this time,” according to the CDC.

[...]

Nonetheless, scientists following the outbreak say this human case is troubling development.

[...]

[Farmer-Rick]

1. Another virus evolving before our eyes

Evolution in action....to our detriment.

[sybylla]

2. This is the first confirmed.

There has been concern that high detections of Influenza A (which includes H5N1) in wastewater in cities near these farms may be an indication of transmission to humans. There were also veterinary accounts of both cats dying and workers being out sick coincidental with sick cows.

None of that is proven. The increase in wastewater positives may be due to consumption of dairy products with pasteurized (dead) virus.

I'm just saying that there is so much more to know and the fact that this is the first confirmed doesn't mean it's the first.

[sl8]

3. Are you saying that the first 2 cases haven't been confirmed? nt

[sybylla]

4. No. The post is about the first case with systemic respiratory symptoms.

The first 2 were confirmed, but only resulted in eye infections - not internal respiratory issues.

[sl8]

5. Got it, thanks. nt