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By Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
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A new bird flu symptom has emerged in an infected human, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Thursday.
According to a press release, there is a third human case associated with a multistate outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in U.S. dairy cows.
A Michigan dairy farmer who recently contracted the illness was exposed to infected cows, meaning, like the two other cases (one in Texas and one in Michigan), this case is "another instance of probable cow-to-person spread," the CDC said. None of the three cases are associated with each other and the illness has yet to be shown to spread from human to human, according to the agency.
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The Michigan farmer is the first to report "more typical symptoms of acute respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection," including bird flu, the CDC said. The agency explained: "The patient reported upper respiratory tract symptoms including cough without fever, and eye discomfort with watery discharge."
A spokesperson for the CDC told Newsweek via email on June 3: "We do not know exactly how the three cases acquired their infections from exposure to dairy cows. While it's not known exactly how eye infections result from avian influenza exposures, it may be from contamination of the eye(s), potentially with a splash of contaminated fluid, or touching the eye(s) with something contaminated with A(H5N1) virus, such as a hand.
"For the most recent case, it is possible that infection of the upper respiratory tract was acquired through deposition or inhalation of droplets containing live virus, or possibly by touching their nose with contaminated hands."
The human health risk for the general public not exposed to infected animals remains low. The CDC will conduct additional genetic analysis on specimens collected from the third patient to "look for any changes to the virus that could change the agency's risk assessment."
Other Symptoms
Bird flu symptoms can range from mild to severe, but infected people can also be asymptomatic.
Mild symptoms may include eye redness or flu-like upper respiratory symptoms.
Here are severe symptoms that infected people may experience:
- Pneumonia requiring hospitalization
- Fever (temperature of 100ºF or greater) or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuff nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
The CDC also lists less-common symptoms: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures.
Recommended Precautions
The CDC advises people to wear protective equipment when interacting with infected or potentially infected animals. Protective gear includes fluid-resistant coveralls and, if necessary, a waterproof apron; a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved particulate respirator; safety goggles or face shield, if necessary; rubber boots or rubber boot covers; head or hair cover; and gloves.
People should also monitor their health for 10 days after their most recent exposure to the virus, according to the CDC.
The agency recommends avoiding close, long or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals as well as unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding, unpasteurized milk or materials that have been touched by, or were close to, animals with suspected or confirmed bird flu.
Update 6/5/24, 9:28 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the CDC.
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