Bird flu reported in second Michigan farmworker, marking third human case in U.S.

(CBS DETROIT) – A second case of H5 flu, also known as bird flu or bird flu, has been detected in another Michigan farmworker, marking the second human case in Michigan and the third in the country overall.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the new case was reported in a farm worker who worked closely with cows that tested positive for bird flu. That worker worked on a different farm than the farm worker. case announced on May 22.

Authorities say the risk to the general public is still low and that the farmworker who tested positive received antivirals and is currently recovering from respiratory symptoms, including coughing and eye discomfort with watery discharge. The worker did not have a fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Household contacts with the infected farm worker did not develop any symptoms and no other worker on the same farm reported symptoms of bird flu.

“Michigan led a rapid public health response and we have been monitoring this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. “Farm workers who were exposed to impacted animals were asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus was made available. With the first case in Michigan, eye symptoms occurred after a direct splash of infected milk into the eye. in this case, respiratory symptoms occurred after direct exposure to an infected cow.”

Health officials say in both Michigan cases, none of the farmworkers were wearing full protective gear.

“Proper use of personal protective equipment is the best tool we have to protect farmworkers,” said Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “MDARD is currently offering assistance to dairy farms in need of additional protective equipment. MDARD has taken and will continue to take bold action to help farms affected by this disease.”

O first case of bird flu in a human was detected in a Texas farmworker who was exposed to infected dairy cattle.

Bird flu was first detected in Michigan in dairy herds that arrived in Michigan from Texas, and has since been found in Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia counties.

Earlier this month, Michigan egg producer Herbuck’s Poultry Ranch announced it was laying off around 400 employees. The company said the virus has affected the chicken population on some farms in Ionia County.

Guidelines issued for Michigan dairy farms

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued guidelines for producers to help reduce the spread of bird flu.

Michigan dairy farms and poultry operations must implement the following, according to the order that took effect May 8:

• Appoint a biosafety manager
• Designate a dividing line to represent the perimeter of a secure area, limiting access points
• Establish cleaning and disinfection practices and procedures at these access points for vehicles and individuals, including deliveries of feed and other supplies, and training for employees
• Establish a logbook keeping a record of all vehicles and individuals who exited the vehicles and crossed these access points, to be retained and made available for examination upon request from MDARD.