Michigan Health Department, CDC reports

Second Human H5N1 Bird Flu Case in Michigan, Third in U.S. This Year with Respiratory Symptoms

May 30, 2024, 06:20 PM

The Michigan Health Department has confirmed a second human case of H5N1 bird flu in the state, marking the third case in the U.S. this year. The latest case involves a farm worker who was not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and has developed respiratory symptoms, including a cough and eye discomfort, a first among the U.S. cases. The patient is being treated with oseltamivir. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing technical assistance as Michigan begins blood tests for dairy farm workers to check for prior bird flu infections. The CDC maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. The cases are linked to an ongoing outbreak in dairy cattle, with the latest patient being exposed to infected cows on a different farm from the previous Michigan case.