US reports second human case of bird flu
PTC Web Desk: A second person in the United States has become infected with bird flu. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), a Michigan farmworker who was regularly exposed to livestock-infected bird flu, also known as avian influenza, has contracted the virus.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan dairy worker is being monitored because of their work exposure to H5N1-infected cattle, and they have reported symptoms to local health officials.
According to the press release, "Two specimens were collected from the patient. An upper respiratory tract specimen collected from the worker's nose was negative for influenza virus at the state health department laboratory. The eye specimen was sent to the CDC for testing because it is one of a few labs where those specimens can be used with the CDC A(H5) test. The specimen was received by CDC and testing results confirmed A(H5) virus infection."
"The nasal specimen was retested at CDC and confirmed to be negative for influenza. The state was then notified of the results. The designation of the influenza virus neuraminidase (the N in the subtype) is pending genetic sequencing at CDC. Attempts to sequence the virus in the clinical specimen are underway and will be made available within 1-2 days if successful."
The MDHHS stated that the farm worker has since recovered and that no additional identifying information will be revealed. Earlier in April, the first human case of bird flu was discovered in Texas, and it was also linked to cattle, according to ABC.
- ANI
