MI Farmworker Tests Positive For Bird Flu: Officials

LANSING, MI — A Michigan farmworker tested positive for bird flu, becoming the nation's second human case connected with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.

Officials said the farmer had regular exposure to infected livestock and had mild symptoms, which have full recovered. Officials did not say where the farmer was working in order to protect the farm and the farmer's privacy.

"The current health risk to the general public remains low," Michigan Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian said. "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."

Michigan health officials confirmed the virus had been found in 19 dairy herds in the state. Nationally, the virus was found in at least 51 dairy herds across nine states, including Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A Texas farmworker was first diagnosed in late March, becoming the first known instance across the world of a person catching this version of bird flu from a mammal. That person's symptoms also fully recovered, according to health officials.

In early April, officials detected a form of the bird flu from a commercial poultry facility in Ionia County, roughly 40 miles outside Lansing. That facility was under quarantine and the birds were put down to prevent the flu from spreading, according to state officials.

The bird flu is a highly contagious virus that can spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, as well as through infected poultry, equipment and clothing and shoes of caretakers, according to state officials.

The public health risk associated with avian influenza is low, and no animals or products infected with the flu will enter the commercial food chain, according to the CDC health officials.

Health officials reminded people to properly prepare and cook all food.

If you notice an influx of dead birds or poultry in your area, it could be a sign of an avian influenza outbreak. You should contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 or after-hours at 517-373-0440.