Third case of bird flu detected in California
Another farmworker in California may have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza, known as bird flu, potentially marking the 17th confirmed case of the disease over the course of seven months.
Because the farmworker had no contact with the other two farmworkers who tested positive in the state, the California Department of Public Health noted that the virus was likely transmitted from infected cows, according to a news report from CNN. The farmworker experienced conjunctivitis and other mild symptoms.
As a result, farmers in California have called attention to the higher number of infected cows in the state compared with the infection rate of cows in other states. Through bulk milk tank testing, California health officials had identified more than 80 cow herds that have been exposed to bird flu since August. In addition, they have found that 50% to 60% of cow herds in California may have been infected with the virus, killing up to 15% of the animals, compared with about 10% and less than 2%, respectively, in other states. The officials suggested that environmental factors such as heat and genetic factors may be playing a role in the virus’s adaptation and more severe disease among cows.
Public health officials stressed that the additional human case represented a critical need to better manage the bird flu outbreak and protect farmworkers from infection. They expressed concerns that with continued infections will come an increased risk of severe infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
Read more: CNN
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