“Second Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed in Michigan Dairy Worker: What You Need to Know”

A second human case of bird flu in a dairy worker has been confirmed in Michigan, state and federal health officials announced on Wednesday. The individual experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis, similar to the Texas dairy worker who contracted the virus in March and also developed pink eye.

During a press call on Wednesday, Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the discovery of H5N1 in dairy cattle was “not unexpected” and that health officials had been preparing for such a scenario. Since the initial detection of H5N1, state and federal health officials have been closely monitoring farmworkers and slaughterhouse workers, advising farmers and farmworker organizations to remain vigilant but not alarmed.

While federal officials maintain that the human health risk of bird flu remains low, they emphasize the importance of taking precautions when interacting with infected or potentially infected farm animals or birds. This includes avoiding contact with dead animals and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.

Although a nasal swab from the Michigan patient tested negative for influenza, an eye swab tested positive for influenza A(H5N1) virus. This marks the third case of H5N1 reported in the United States, with a poultry worker in Colorado identified in 2022.

While the symptoms in the U.S. farmworkers have been mild, other parts of the world have experienced more severe illness and fatalities. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 888 cases of human infection from 23 countries between January 1, 2003, and March 28, 2024, with 463 resulting in death.

In response to the potential for a more widespread outbreak, the CDC has updated its guidance for PPE in dairies and issued a nationwide order for healthcare providers to be vigilant for novel influenza cases. The USDA is also expanding surveillance efforts and providing financial support to farms for biosecurity measures and testing.

Despite the detection of H5N1 in dairy workers, there have been no cases reported in California’s dairy herds. Officials assure the public that ongoing analysis of the nation’s dairy supply indicates it is safe for consumption.

To further prepare for any potential increase in cases, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is making Tamiflu available upon request to jurisdictions without their own stockpile. Additionally, the agency has initiated the production of approximately 4.8 million doses of vaccine matched to the circulating strain of H5N1 through the national pre-pandemic influenza vaccine stockpile program.

Officials stress that the decision to produce H5N1 vaccines is a proactive measure and not a response to heightened concern. However, due to the time required to produce vaccine doses, the agency deemed it necessary given the current situation.