A milk worker in Nevada, who has been infected with a new type of bird flu, which differs from the version, which has been spreading in American herds since the last year, was given on Monday by health officials.
The disease was considered mild. The main symptom of this person was redness and irritation of the eyes, similar to most cases of influenza birds associated with dairy cows. The person was not hospitalized and recovered, in accordance with the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The newer strain was previously seen in a dozen or so people exposed to poultry, but for the first time the infection was traced. A state dairy employee was disclosed at the Farm in Churchill, in the central part of the state, the health officials of state.
CDC officials said that there is no evidence that the virus spread from that person to other people. The agency still claims that the virus is a low risk for the general public.
Ptana flu is now spreading by animals, and some people are known to scientists as H5N1 type A influenza. But there are different strains.
California announced an emergency in relation to the H1N5 bird flu, when the virus spreads wider in milk herds. While cases are still rare in humans, experts call those who work with birds and cattle to take precautions.
Researchers said that the version known as B3.13 was confirmed in March after the spread of cattle at the end of 2023, it infects 962 of cattle in 16 states, of which the vast majority in California.
The newer version, known as D1.1, was confirmed at Nevad's cattle on January 31. It was found in milk collected as part of the monitoring program started in December.
The new case raises questions
This discovery meant clear forms of the virus to spread from wild birds to cattle at least twice. Experts said that raising questions about a wider spread and difficulties in controlling infection in animals and people who work with them.
According to CDC data, at least 68 people in the USA were reported with bird flu. Everyone but a small handful worked closely with cows or poultry.
Most often he caught version B3.13. CDC said earlier that the D1.1 version was observed only in cases in Louisiana and Washington. But on Monday, the agency revealed that the available data indicates last year D1.1, probably infected a total of 15 people in five states – Iowa, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin – all related to poultry.
Virus D1.1 was associated with the first death in the US associated with bird flu and a serious illness in Canada. A person in Louisiana died in January after developing severe respiratory symptoms after contact with wild birds and yards. There was a teenager in British Columbia hospitalized for weeks with a virus traced to poultry.
While the risk for the general public is low, CDC claims that the flu is a greater threat to people with close or prolonged contact with infected cows, birds or other animals. People are encouraged to wear protective equipment and take other precautions.