Two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in humans in the United States, with a farm worker in Michigan testing positive for the virus. This occurrence is part of an ongoing outbreak affecting birds and cattle across the country. Health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low despite these cases.
The second individual infected with bird flu exhibited symptoms such as eye redness, swelling, and conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. The farm worker was under monitoring due to exposure to livestock and tested positive for the virus through an eye swab. Fortunately, the patient has since recovered.
As of now, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Monitoring programs are in place to detect and track potential cases, with a focus on individuals exposed to infected livestock. Efforts also include wastewater surveillance to identify early signals of the flu virus.
Globally, there have been 887 reported human cases of bird flu over a 20-year period, resulting in 462 fatalities across 23 countries. While the fatality rate remains a concern, the overall number of cases and fatality rate have been decreasing over time.
Monitoring programs extend to farm workers and animals, particularly pigs, which share similar receptors to humans. By observing and testing individuals and animals for symptoms and virus presence, health authorities aim to prevent the spread of bird flu and protect public health.
Despite the seriousness of the virus, the current situation in the U.S. is under control, with a focus on early detection, monitoring, and prevention measures to mitigate the risk of transmission and ensure public safety.
