A third case of H5N1 influenza infection has been confirmed in the United States, this time in a patient from Michigan. The risk of an outbreak in the community remains low, according to US officials. The patient had additional respiratory symptoms, including a cough, in addition to conjunctivitis experienced by the two previous patients. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, stated that even though the new patient had respiratory symptoms, it is still considered a mild case.
The ongoing avian influenza outbreak in dairy cattle has affected 67 herds in nine states since March, with nearly 20 influenza A/H5N1 vaccines licensed for use in case of a pandemic. Avian influenza A/H5N1 first appeared in 1996 and has been on the rise since 2020, affecting both birds and mammals. There is no evidence that H5N1 is transmitted from person to person, mainly through contact with infected animals. People in close contact with the patient are being monitored for any symptoms.
