CDC CONFIRMS FOURTH CASE OF BIRD FLU LINKED TO DAIRY CATTLE, CHECK HERE THE EARLY SYMPTOMS OF H5N1 BIRD FLU
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a fourth person has tested positive for bird flu which is linked to dairy cattle. The infected person is from Colorado. The patient is a dairy worker at a farm where cows had tested positive for the H5N1 virus. CDC said that the patient had eye symptoms, however, he recovered after receiving treatment with the antiviral drug Tamiflu.
CDC in a news release Wednesday said, “Based on the information available at this time, this infection does not change CDC’s current H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which the agency considers to be low.”
This case is similar to two earlier cases that were seen in Texas and Michigan dairy workers. All of them developed pink eye. However, a third patient from Michigan also developed upper respiratory symptoms which included a sore throat, cough and congestion.
A report in NBC News says the agency said that there is no evidence of increased flu-like illnesses that would indicate that the virus (H5N1) is spreading widely in people. CDC in a briefing also said that since the outbreak in March, more than 780 people exposed to sick cows have been monitored, and 53 have been tested for the virus.
Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said, “The risk to most people remains low. Avian flu viruses are currently spreading among animals, but they are not adapted to spread from person to person. Right now, the most important thing to know is that people who have regular exposure to infected animals are at increased risk of infection and should take precautions when they have contact with sick animals.”
H5N1, also known as bird flu or Avian influenza is a type of zoonotic influenza which affects wild birds and poultry. It can also affect humans and cause a highly infectious respiratory disease. The virus can cause a range of diseases in humans, from mild to severe and in some cases, it can even be fatal.
Symptoms of H5N1 bird flu
Here, take a look at some of the early signs and symptoms of avian influenza.- Sore throat: Discomfort or pain in the throat area, making swallowing difficult.
- Conjunctivitis: Also known as pink eye, bird flu often causes your eyes to become red.
- Fever: High temperature is often the first sign, typically above 38°C (100.4°F).
- Cough: Initially, a dry cough that can become more severe over time.
- Respiratory symptoms: Early stages may present mild respiratory issues that can rapidly progress.
- Muscle aches: Body aches and pains.
- Headache: This can range from mild to severe.
- Pneumonia: This is indicated by difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or wheezing.
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): A severe form of respiratory failure.
- Vomiting: This can occur in conjunction with other gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Neurological changes: Rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation) can happen which eventually leads to seizures or altered mental states.
- Diarrhoea: Unlike usual influenza, H5N1 can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Bleeding from the nose and gums: This usually happens in severe cases.