A dairy worker in Nevada has been confirmed to have contracted bird flu (H5N1 virus), the state’s first human case of avian influenza. The employee, who was working in Churchill County, developed conjunctivitis, or pink eye, but no other symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to the public low due to the lack of person-to-person transmission. Close contacts of the infected individual are being monitored and provided with personal protective equipment, testing, and antiviral medication.
Those who work with birds or animals are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Residents are advised to limit their exposure to wild birds or other animals that may be infected with bird flu. If symptoms occur, it’s essential to watch for respiratory issues or conjunctivitis.
This case comes as a second strain of bird flu has been detected in Nevada dairy cows, matching the version found in wild birds and domestic poultry. The CDC has reported 68 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the US so far.
Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/5136755-bird-flu-nevada-dairy-worker