Health-Care Workers Show Symptoms After Exposure to H5N1 Bird Flu Patient #

Four additional health-care workers who cared for a patient hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu have reported experiencing respiratory symptoms following their exposure. This brings the total number of workers with symptoms to six.

One of the newly reported cases had high-risk contact with the patient, providing care before precautionary measures were advised. The other three had low-risk contact after precautions were implemented. None of these workers were tested at the time of their symptoms.

The investigation scope includes 18 health-care workers identified as having high-risk exposure and 94 others with low-risk contact. The six workers who fell ill experienced mild symptoms that have since resolved. One tested negative for influenza during their illness, while the others will undergo antibody testing to check for past H5N1 infection.

This case marks the 14th human H5N1 infection in the United States since April, with the patient having no known contact with animals. The cause of infection is still under investigation. The previous 13 cases involved farm workers with direct contact with infected dairy cows and chickens.

No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed in any of the U.S. cases, which would be a cause for concern as it could indicate the virus is evolving to more easily infect humans.

A new wastewater test has been developed to distinguish H5 viruses from other types of influenza A, which will be particularly useful as flu season approaches.

Recommendations for the public: #

1. Avoid touching sick or dying animals, including wild and farmed birds and cows.
2. Stay away from bedding and litter of animals suspected of having H5N1 influenza.
3. Do not consume raw milk. Pasteurized products are safe as heating kills the virus.
4. Use personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves when working with sick animals.

The immediate risk to the public from H5N1 bird flu continues to be considered low.