Disease expert speaks on bird flu after Michigan farmworker’s diagnosis

MICHIGAN (WNEM) – Health officials spoke about the potential spread of bird flu after a Michigan resident became the second person in the United States diagnosed with the disease associated with an outbreak among dairy cattle.

“So, it is a very inefficient transmission, so that’s why people should not get worried,” said Dr. Nicholas Haddad, an infectious disease specialist from Central Michigan University.

He said a human case of bird flu diagnosed in a Michigan farmworker is no cause for the public to be alarmed.

State health officials made the announcement Wednesday, May 22, making it the second case associated with the outbreak in dairy cows. The first was in Texas last month.

“The overall risk to the public from H5N1 infection remains low at this time. But as we see with this case and the prior one in Texas, the risk to farmworkers is elevated,” said Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, the patient was in contact with cows believed to be infected with the disease. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is now warning farmers to tighten their safety measures.

“A lot of procedures that are already commonly employed on poultry farms in response to several years now of high alert with this disease have been establishing biosecurity procedures for dairy farms as well. So, more cleaning and disinfecting, instituting lines of separation to maintain clean areas of the farms, records, logbooks for visitors, biosecurity managers at farms,” said Tim Boring, director of MDARD.

The Texas and Michigan cases are similar in that each person reported having conjunctivitis.

Haddad said anyone who believes they have been exposed to the virus should monitor for symptoms.

“It can be, you know, fever, cough, headache, head, muscle aches, and respiratory symptoms primarily,” he said. “Sometimes that can include conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the eye covering or GI symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea.”

Health officials say there is no sign of person-to-person spread of the virus at this time, so the risk to humans remains low. They recommend being mindful of the potential for exposure.

“As we enter a fair season and agritourism time of the year, be thoughtful about visits to dairy farms,” Boring said. “Make sure you’re being smart about what kind of interface you might have with livestock.”

Officials also say the safety of the food supply is secure but they continue to warn not to consume unpasteurized dairy products.

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