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California's Department of Public Health released an emailed statement shortly after noon (EDT) announcing a 3rd suspected human H5 infection linked to dairy cattle. This case is a `presumptive positive' based on local testing, and will need to be confirmed by the CDC.
Third Possible Human Case of Bird Flu Detected in California
October 5, 2024
NR24-030
Individual had contact with infected dairy cattle; risk to general public remains low(Continue . . . )
What You Need To Know: A third possible human case of bird flu has been identified in California and is awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The individual was in contact with infected dairy cattle in the Central Valley. The risk to the general public remains low, although people who interact with infected animals are at higher risk of getting bird flu.
Sacramento – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that a third possible human case of bird flu has been identified in California. The case was identified in a Central Valley individual who had contact with infected dairy cattle. Specimens are being sent to the CDC to undergo confirmatory testing.
There is no known link or contact between this and the first two cases reported yesterday, suggesting only animal-to-human spread of the virus in California. All three individuals had contact with animals at three different farms. Like the first two cases, this individual also experienced mild symptoms, including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis). None of the individuals have been hospitalized.
Additional Information on Bird Flu
Risk Remains Low: The risk to the general public remains low, but people who interact with infected animals, like dairy or poultry farm workers, are at higher risk of getting bird flu. CDPH recommends that personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as respirators (N95 masks), eye protection (face shields or safety goggles), and gloves be worn by anyone working with animals or materials that are infected or potentially infected with the bird flu virus. Wearing PPE helps prevent infection. Please see CDPH’s Worker Protection from Bird Flu (PDF) for full PPE guidance.
Pasteurized milk and dairy products continue to be safe to consume, as pasteurization is fully effective at inactivating the bird flu virus. As an added precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is not permitted in the public milk supply.
While there have been calls for the wearing of PPEs by farm workers since April, anecdotal reports suggest their use has been less than optimal.
With at least 56 dairy herds infected with HPAI H5 (see below) in California alone, and more detections likely, it isn't surprising that a 3rd human infection has been reported. Nor would it be surprising to see that number rise in the days ahead.
While people may be reassured by the mild symptoms reported in American farm workers, each human infection - and each spillover into other mammals - is another opportunity for the virus to better adapt to non-avian hosts.
And, as we've seen in hard-hit felines, rodents, foxes, and and marine mammals, there are no guarantees it will remain mild for humans.
