A Michigan farm worker is the second person to be infected with bird flu in an ongoing outbreak linked to dairy cows, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday, adding that the risk to the general public remains low.
The individual, who had regular exposure to infected livestock, has recovered, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The worker reported only eye-related symptoms, with details similar to the first case identified last month in Texas.
The CDC is closely monitoring bird flu activity across the country, especially in affected states, and has reported “no sign of unusual influenza activity in people.” However, the agency said the case underscores the need for farm workers to take precautions when exposed to potentially infected livestock.
The positive case was identified through an eye swab after an initial nasal swab test came back negative. The negative nasal sample is reassuring, as it reduces the chance of human-to-human respiratory transmission, Dr. Nirav Shah, CDC’s principal deputy director, said in a press briefing per NBC News.
The CDC said similar human cases could be identified in the future given “the extent of the spread of this virus in dairy cows.” The agency has asked states to provide farmworkers with personal protective equipment and has issued interim recommendations for worker protection.
Michigan has been hard hit by bird flu as a major egg producer lays off one-third of its workforce due to supply disruptions from the virus in April. The state also reported three more infections among dairy herds this week.