Medically reviewed by Medicine.com.
By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, July 3, 2024 — Amid an ongoing outbreak of hen flu in dairy cows, a fourth case of H5N1 avian flu has been confirmed in one other dairy employee, U.S. well being officers reported Wednesday.
The most recent case was reported in Colorado, the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned in a information launch.
“As with earlier instances, the individual is a employee on a dairy farm the place cows examined optimistic for A[H5N1] virus,” the CDC mentioned. “The individual reported eye signs solely, acquired oseltamivir [Tamiflu] therapy, and has recovered.”
The primary two human hen flu instances — the primary in Texas and a second in Michigan — additionally concerned solely a short discomfort of the eyes, linked to conjunctivitis, or “pink eye.” Each sufferers recovered.
Nonetheless, a 3rd case, additionally reported in Michigan, was the primary to current with extra typical respiratory signs, the CDC famous in a current well being replace. That affected person has been handled and has since recovered.
To this point, H5N1 has not been simply handed between individuals, and all 4 farm employees turned contaminated after extended contact with dairy cows.
Regardless of the fourth case of human hen flu, “this an infection doesn’t change CDC’s present H5N1 hen flu human well being threat evaluation for the U.S. basic public, which the company considers to be low,” the CDC mentioned. “Nonetheless, this improvement underscores the significance of beneficial precautions in individuals with publicity to contaminated animals.”
Infectious illness consultants worldwide have been alarmed that an influenza pressure beforehand confined to birds has now made its manner into mammals similar to seals, dolphins, cows and — as reported not too long ago — alpacas.
The priority is {that a} mutation may come up which renders H5N1 simply transmittable amongst members of one other mammalian species — individuals.
Proper now, the hazard appears to be restricted to individuals who have extended contact with animals contaminated with the virus, similar to dairy employees.
For these people, the CDC recommends they “put on beneficial private protecting gear when interacting with contaminated or probably contaminated animals and monitor their well being for 10 days after their most up-to-date publicity.”
“Folks must also keep away from unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding [litter], unpasteurized [‘raw’] milk or supplies which have been touched by, or near, birds or different animals with suspected or confirmed A[H5N1] virus,” the company added.
Uncooked milk is a particular concern, as a result of pasteurization kills off the H5N1 virus. One examine launched not too long ago discovered excessive ranges of avian flu virus in uncooked milk, even after refrigeration.
Nonetheless, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration reported simply final week {that a} new examine it performed discovered that the flash pasteurization used within the dairy trade successfully kills all hen flu virus. That analysis has not been revealed in a peer-reviewed journal but, so the findings must be thought to be preliminary.
Sources
- U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, information launch, July 3, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical knowledge in medical articles present basic traits and don’t pertain to people. Particular person elements can differ drastically. At all times search customized medical recommendation for particular person healthcare selections.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2024
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