A second human case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, related to the epidemic affecting dairy cows across multiple U.S. states, was reported in the USA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the infection in a dairy worker in Michigan. Recently, a similar case had been reported in a Texas worker. Nevertheless, the risk to the general population is believed to be low, according to public health authorities.
Sequencing of the virus isolated from the infected individual’s ocular sample is underway to determine if any genetic mutations have occurred that could modify the risk assessment by the pertinent CDC agency.
