A second human death linked to the H5N1 bird flu variantโฃ has โbeen โconfirmed in theโข United States,prompting heightened surveillance by the Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The case, identified in Michigan, follows an โearlier confirmed fatality in aprilโ and raisesโ concerns about potential mutations of the virus.
Bird flu, โor avian influenza, is aโฃ viralโ infection โprimarily impacting poultry-including chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese-and wild birds.โค While human infection is rare, it typically occurs through directโ contact with infectedโ birds, their excrement,โค or contaminated surfaces. โฃThe CDC โคis closely monitoring the situation to determine if the virus isโฃ evolvingโค to spread more easily between peopel, a development that could signal a broader public health threat.As of May 3, 2024, noโข evidence suggests human-to-human transmission โof this specific variant.
The Michigan resident, who had been exposed to poultry, experienced symptoms and tested positive for the โvirus after contact with infected birds. Health officials are โinvestigatingโข toโ identify any closeโ contacts โwho may have been โexposed and to assess the risk of further spread. Aโ separate โฃcase inโ Texas,โค the first confirmed U.S. human infectionโ with this strain, involved a dairy worker who had direct contact โwith infectedโ cattle.
The CDC emphasizes โthat the current risk to the โgeneral public remains low. However, the agency is urgingโข individuals who work with poultry โขor wildโ birds to take preventativeโ measures, including wearing protective gear and practicingโข goodโค hygiene. the recent cases underscore theโฃ importance ofโฃ ongoing monitoring โคand research to understand the evolving nature of avian influenza viruses and toโ prepare for potential pandemic threats.
