A Michigan dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu — the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows.

The male worker had been in contact with cows at a farm with infected animals. He experienced mild eye symptoms and has recovered, U.S. and Michigan health officials said in announcing the case Wednesday.

A nasal swab from the person tested negative for the virus, but an eye swab tested Tuesday was positive for bird flu, “indicating an eye infection,” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said.

  • Flying Squid
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    -17 months ago

    I agree on general terms. I am talking about a quick solution to preventing transmission of this strain to dairy workers. I don’t know about this case, but in the first case, the farm worker was on a farm that did not require gloves. Viruses can’t be transmitted through gloves.

    • @aodhsishaj
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      97 months ago

      It can however be transmitted from the cows coughing, through shared water, and through their raw milk. These workers need water proof pants, slathered in Iodoform, boot covers, masks, and gloves. The milking carousel needs to be sanitized, their hay may even need to be under a UV lamp. It’s a lot of work, it’s necessary work, but it’s a LOT more than just gloves.

      We do agree that even the simplistic measures of masks and gloves aren’t being taken and that is egregious.

      https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/04/24/usda-actions-protect-livestock-health-highly-pathogenic-h5n1-avian

    • @cm0002
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      57 months ago

      I agree with you, but people around here just seem to think huge societal changes can be brought about overnight and aren’t interested in the quick regulations we can actually get implemented overnight like, like mask and glove requirements.

      Com’on people we can get quick fixes implemented…quickly…while working towards those large changes

    • @ChicoSuave
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      37 months ago

      And masks. Influenza is transmitted via wet transmission like coughing or sneezing as well as goopy puddles that require gloves. In general the workers need more protections. And as outbreaks becomes more common, this should become an industry standard.