U.S. and California health officials on Friday confirmed two new cases of H5N1 avian influenza among dairy farm workers in the state, bringing the total number of infected dairy workers in the state to six this year. The total number of infected people nationwide is now 20.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 of the U.S. cases are associated with contact with infected poultry, nine are associated with sick or infected dairy cows, and one infection in Missouri The outbreak occurred in a person with no known contact with infected animals. in a statement Friday.
The CDC said all six cases in California appear to be caused by animal-to-human transmission.
So far, infected employees have had mild symptoms, including red eyes and conjunctivitis.
No one was hospitalized.
The agency said the immediate risk to the general public from bird flu remains low, but it believes people who have come into contact with infected animals are at high risk of infection.
The CDC said genetic sequences from three virus samples taken from the California case showed they were closely related to virus samples detected in dairy cows.
Sequencing of the first two cases showed no changes in the virus that would suggest it could be more easily transmitted between people or that it might be resistant to antiviral drugs. There was no, the authorities added.
The California Department of Public Health said in a statement that it is working closely with local public health labs and departments to provide exposed individuals with medical examinations and access testing and treatment as needed. said.
All six of California's cases occurred in workers who had been exposed to the virus.
California health officials said they expect additional cases to be confirmed among individuals who have regular contact with infected dairy cows.
The state announced it has received an additional 5,000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine from the CDC for farmworkers to help reduce the risk of contracting both avian influenza and seasonal influenza.
Infecting both types of viruses at the same time can increase the risk of changes that make it easier for bird flu to spread to people.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 298 dairy farms in 14 U.S. states have confirmed cases of H5 avian influenza virus infection in dairy cows.
