The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced the third human case of bird flu, contracted by a dairy worker amid the nationwide outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza among cattle.
CDC Principal Deputy Director Nirva Shah told reporters that the dairy worker was infected with the H5N1 virus from a different herd in Michigan than the one associated with the second case announced from the state last week.
The infected worker is reporting upper respiratory symptoms, including a cough. This is different from the other two human cases in dairy workers since March, who reported symptoms of conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Both respiratory and eye-related symptoms are common to H5 influenzas, according to Shah.
Shah said the reported infection “does not change the CDC’s overall risk assessment” and that the risk to the general public “remains low.”
CDC scientists are also testing the virus sample obtained from the most recent Mighican patient with the hope of identifying further specifics about the evolution of virus strains.
Federal public health officials noted that, so far, there have been no genetic mutations in the virus to indicate that it will develop human-to-human spread, leaving cow-to-human spread the most critical threat.
“Our top priority now across the response is protecting the health of farm workers,” Shah said, adding that the case brings about “a renewed focus, a continued focus on the risk that dairy workers may see.”
The challenge of PPE for farm workers
The CDC is strongly recommending the use of personal protective equipment among farm workers at risk of exposure.
Uptake of PPE, including masks, gloves, and smocks, among dairy workers in particular has been reportedly slow due to the hot and damp conditions of milking parlors.
“Our guidance is not blind to these possibilities and some of these constraints,” Shah said, referencing PPE guidance updated in early May. “Indeed, it contains a discussion of how to balance the need to stay protected with the realities of wearing difficult PPE in summer, hot, heat conditions.”
Eric Deeble, deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Agriculture, told reporters his department had made available up to $2,000 per month in PPE and outerwear laundering services spending for affected premises in an effort to incentivize uptake.
USDA also announced $824 million in new funding projects for livestock health.
Future vaccines and continued monitoring
Recent reports from sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that the Department of Health and Human Services is in communication with both Pfizer and Moderna to produce an mRNA vaccine against H5 strains of bird flu for the national stockpile.
When asked about whom vaccines would be provided to should they be purchased, federal officials said vaccination is not currently recommended for any H5 influenza viruses, noting it would be “premature to speculate” on guidance for future vaccine distribution.
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CDC officials reported that over 40 people have been tested for bird flu infections, and over 350 patients have been enrolled in the CDC’s monitoring program. This includes 220 in Michigan who are also engaged with the state’s monitoring.
Although the USDA has reported that upwards of 67 herds of cattle across nine states are known to be positive, USDA officials were unable to provide specific information as to the number of cattle that have been tested or were confirmed positive across the country.
