Michigan Farmworker Diagnosed with Bird Flu Linked to Cow Outbreak

Michigan state officials have confirmed that a farmworker in the state has been diagnosed with bird flu. This marks the second human case associated with the outbreak in cows. The individual contracted the virus, known as H5N1, after being exposed to infected livestock.

Recovery and Privacy

Although the farmworker experienced only mild symptoms, they have fully recovered, according to officials. In order to safeguard the privacy of the farm and the farmworker, state authorities did not disclose further details about the case.

Previous Cases

This recent case follows a previous human infection in 2022, when a person in Colorado became the first confirmed human case of H5N1 in the United States after direct exposure to infected poultry. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an H5N1 infection last month in a Texas dairy farmworker, marking the first case associated with the outbreak in cows.

Public Risk

Despite these cases, officials stated that the detection of the latest case does not indicate widespread bird flu in people. They reassured the public that the risk of contracting the virus remains low.