4th US Bird Flu Human Case Detected in Dairy Worker from Colorado Exposed to Infected Cows; Is a Pandemic Possible?

(Photo : Getty Images/ Justin Sullivan)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a fourth person in the U.S. tested positive for bird flu.

The Details of the Outbreak

In this most recent case, the person who got the H5N1 virus from cows in Colorado worked in a milking farm. There were mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (pink eye).

The worker got antiviral treatment with oseltamivir, widely known as Tamiflu, and has since recovered. The current outbreak has already affected people in Texas and Michigan, but this is the first case of someone getting infected in Colorado.

The H5N1 virus was discovered in dairy animals in the United States in March. Since that time, there have been numerous successful experiments conducted throughout the nation.

Unpasteurized milk can still spread the virus for at least an hour after it is harvested, which is dangerous for dairy workers. Pasteurized milk, on the other hand, is safe because the process kills the virus.

What the Public Health Needs to Know

Though there is a new case, the CDC notes that most people have little risk. They claimed that, particularly in impacted areas, they have been closely observing influenza surveillance systems and that there has not been any evidence of distinctive influenza activity among individuals. There is no proof of transfer from person to person, which is very important to stop the disease from spreading to more people.

People who work with infected cows at a dairy farm are more likely to get sick, so they should take extra care by putting on disposable coveralls that don't leak fluids, gloves, boots, vented safety masks, and N95 respirators. The CDC also advises to avoid milk and dairy products that haven't been pasteurized. This is because they haven't been heated long enough to kill viruses and germs that can make you sick.

Over 780 people exposed to sick cows have been watched, and 53 have been tested for the virus since the outbreak was found. People who got ill in Texas and Michigan also had mild symptoms but have since gotten better. People are still worried that H5N1 could change in a way that makes it easier for people to spread the virus, which could cause a pandemic.

Is a Pandemic Possible? What Should We Do?

The CDC is still closely monitoring the situation and advising on how to lower the chance of the spread. People who work with sick animals should follow safety rules to keep themselves safe. They are told to stay away from ill animals and clean up after themselves.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 139 herds in 12 states are being hit. To protect the public's health even more, a vaccine against this flu type may soon be available in 4.8 million doses. The pharmaceutical business owned by Moderna is also working on an early-stage mRNA vaccine against avian flu.

Although a pandemic is not very likely, everyone should be cautious and follow safety guidelines to stop H5N1 from spreading. Together, state and municipal governments and public health professionals track the infection and prevent its spread. This is being done to guarantee workers' safety, among other things.