A second Michigan farmworker has been diagnosed with bird flu.
The farmworker was known to have worked closely with cows that were diagnosed with H5N1. The farmworker in this case worked at a different farm than the person in the case announced on May 22.
Chief medical executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said the first farmworker started reporting eye symptoms after infected milk was splashed into their eye. Respiratory symptoms appeared in the second case after direct exposure to an infected cow. Neither farmworker was wearing full personal protective equipment when they were exposed.
“Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan. Farmworkers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available,” Bagdasarian said.
---> Bird flu outbreak causes mass layoff at Michigan egg supplier
According to Michigan health officials, the farmworker in the second case was given antivirals and is recovering from respiratory symptoms. The CDC said that the risk to the public remains low.
The CDC recommends the following to protect yourself against bird flu:
- Avoid direct contact with wild birds.
- Avoid contact with birds that appear ill or have died.
- Avoid unprotected or direct physical contact with cows and materials potentially infected with H5N1.
- Do not eat or drink raw milk or products made with raw milk.
- Properly handled and cooked poultry has been deemed safe to eat.
“Proper use of personal protective equipment is the best tool we have to protect farm workers. MDARD is currently offering assistance to dairy farms in need of additional protective equipment. MDARD has and will continue to take bold actions to assist farms impacted by this disease,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring
Michigan health officials recommend that people who work on poultry or dairy farms get the seasonal flu vaccine. While it will not prevent a bird flu infection, it can reduce the risk of getting both bird flu and flu at the same time.
How to report a sick bird
Domestic bird owners should watch out for unusual deaths, a drop in egg protection, a decrease in water consumption or an increase in sick birds. If you suspect your birds have bird flu you should contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).
If you see any unusual or unexplained deaths among wild birds you can report those to the DNR through the Eyes in the Field app (select observation forms) or by calling 517-336-5030.
Search “Bird Flu” in the WDIV Help Desk for more information about HPAI.