Bird Flu Kills Again

Second US Person Infected with Bird Flu Linked to Dairy Cows in Michigan

Michigan has become ground zero for the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.

A second person in the US has been infected with bird flu linked to dairy cows in Michigan, health officials said. The worker had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected and experienced mild eye symptoms, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

The case is the second human infection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in the US this year, and the first linked to dairy cows.

The virus has been detected in commercial and backyard poultry flocks in 38 states, and has also been found in wild birds in 46 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the case and working with state and local health officials to identify any other potential cases.

The CDC recommends that people avoid contact with sick or dead birds, and to report any sick or dead birds to their state or local health department.