A second human case of avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) associated with the ongoing multi-state outbreak amongst dairy cows has been found in the US.

The individual, a farmworker in Michigan, had regular contact with dairy cows infected with H5N1. The patient experienced a mild eye infection, similar to the first Texas case and has since recovered.

This marks the third human H5N1 case in total reported in the US. The 1st April case was actually the second human case of A (H5N1) reported there. The first human case of A (H5N1) bird flu in the country was reported in 2022 in an individual in Colorado who had direct exposure to poultry and who was involved in depopulating poultry with presumptive A (H5N1) bird flu. That case was not related to dairy cattle.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk to the general public still remains low, but it recommended people with exposure to infected or potentially infected cows, poultry, or other animals take recommended precautions and report any symptoms, even if mild, to local health officials.

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