Janet Ogundepo
Following the recent outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in poultry and dairy cows, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, yesterday confirmed the first case of the virus in a Michigan farm worker.
The worker, who regularly handled infected livestock, showed mild symptoms and has since recovered.
The MDHHS, in a statement on its website, noted that the virus had been circulating in dairy and poultry farms across the United States of America, prompting state and local public health officials to closely monitor for human cases.
The Michigan farm worker’s case marks the third human infection in the U.S. since 2022, following cases in Colorado in 2022 and Texas in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Victorian Department of Health in Australia reported its first human case of bird flu on Tuesday after a child returning from India was infected.
According to the World Health Organisation, the H5N1 avian influenza virus causes an infectious respiratory disease in birds, which can range from mild to fatal in humans exposed to infected animals or their environment.
The WHO noted that a variant of the H5N1 virus in 2020 led to the unexpected deaths of wild birds and poultry in many countries.
However, several reports note that animals, especially dairy cows also spread the flu.
In light of the ongoing virus spread, PUNCH Healthwise recently reported that consultant epidemiologists and public health physicians called the attention of the Federal Government and its agencies to the need to urgently scale up epidemic preparedness, response strategies and execution.
The health experts noted that this proactive approach was crucial to mitigate the potential impact of another pandemic on the country.
Meanwhile, America’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the MDHHS stated that the risk of the flu to the public remains low, asserting that the Michigan farm worker had mild symptoms and has recovered.
The statement read in part, “This virus has been associated with the ongoing multistate outbreak of influenza A. As such, it is not unexpected that comprehensive testing identified a human infection. Information to date suggests this is a sporadic infection, with no associated ongoing spread person-to-person.”
A Chief Medical Executive, Dr Natasha Bagdasarian, stated that farm workers in the state who have come in contact with infected animals have been asked to report symptoms of the virus, noting that the health risk to the public remained low.
She said, “Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan. Farm workers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available.
“The current health risk to the general public remains low. This virus is being closely monitored, and we have not seen signs of sustained human-to-human transmission at this point. This is exactly how public health is meant to work, in early detection and monitoring of new and emerging illnesses.”
The MDHHS further noted that it was working closely with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, farms and workers to monitor the health of people exposed to ill animals.
MDARD’s Director, Tim Boring stated, “Since the first detection of influenza A in dairy cattle on March 29, Michigan has prioritised both the animal and human health aspects of this disease outbreak. Today’s news underscores the continued importance of limiting nonessential farm visits, including farm tours and field trips, as well as the use of personal protective equipment when working with livestock.”
MDHHS further noted that epidemiological teams have been deployed to assist in tracing and testing within dairy herds to be able to provide real-time information.
“Director Boring has taken proactive actions by signing a “Determination of Extraordinary Emergency” order Wednesday, May 1, which further protects Michigan’s poultry and livestock industries from the ongoing threat of influenza A. Michigan’s order enhances USDA’s federal order, which was issued Wednesday, April 24.
“MDARD has identified both dairy and poultry farms that have tested positive for influenza A in several Michigan counties. Risk is not limited to those geographies as additional detections may be possible,” the statement further read.
MDHHS recommends that people working on poultry or dairy farms get seasonal flu vaccinations to reduce the risk of co-infection with avian and flu viruses.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Healthwise had reported that the WHO clarified that there is no evidence that the H5NI avian influenza virus can adapt to allow human-to-human transmission.
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