US Health Officials Warns Dairy Workers at Risk of Bird Flu, Advocates Protective Gear

Health officials in the United States on Friday, May 3, 2024, warned that dairy workers were at risk of contracting the H5N1 bird flu virus that is currently infecting dairy herds. Consequently, they are urging dairy workers to wear protective gear to avoid getting infected. 

Dairy workers are especially advised to wear protective gear when in close physical contact with sick livestock, birds, feces, raw milk, or contaminated surfaces. The warning coincided with the publication of a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine which detailed how a dairy worker was infected with the virus and developed conjunctivitis (pink eye), an infection causing redness of the eyes. 

Infection of humans by bird flu virus is rare. The case of the dairy worker is the second known infection of humans by bird virus in the United States. However, there is a rising concern about the increasing spread of bird flu in different mammal species. Health officials are concerned that widespread exposure of the virus to humans may spark another pandemic. 

 Infected dairy worker was not properly protected

In a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the agency said that the infected dairy worker used to wear gloves but no eye or respiratory protection. The worker did not report having any contact with sick or dead birds or animals. However, the worker had close contact with sick dairy cows that manifested typical bird flu symptoms including lethargy, reduced appetite, and decreased milk production.

The CDC is urging dairy workers and emergency responders to wear appropriate protective gear when in close contact with sick livestock, birds, feces, raw milk, and contaminated surfaces. An outbreak analysis published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests the virus may have been circulating in dairy cows in the U.S. for four months before it was reported on March 25.

Earlier this week, the FDA said preliminary tests of baby formula, milk, and other dairy products suggest they are safe for consumption and that pasteurization inactivates the virus.